Poolguard PGRM-2 In-Ground Pool Alarm Review

During those hot summer months there is nothing more enjoyable than jumping into the pool in your backyard after a long day's work.

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  Poolguard PGRM-2 In-Ground Pool Alarm
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While the enjoyment that a pool can bring to your family is wonderfully refreshing, pools come with a risk for all parents of small children. According to the Center for Disease Control, on average, 10 people die from accidental drowning every day! According to their numbers between the years 2005-2014 on average, 1 in every 5 accidental drowning victims was a child under the age of 14 years old.

As a parent those numbers are terrifying, and if you are also the proud owner of a home swimming pool, it makes you want to take action to keep your children safe. That's where the Poolguard PGRM-2 In-Ground pool alarm comes in to play.

What is a Pool Guard?

A pool guard is a device that attaches to your pool and monitors the water. If there is a disturbance in the pool, you will be notified by the alarm. The Poolguard PGRM-2 In-Ground Pool Alarm was previously selected as one of the best pool guards by Good Housekeeping magazine.

Features/Benefits of PoolGuard PGRM-2 In-Ground pool alarm

• The PGRM-2 passed all of the safety tests that GRHI (Good Housekeeping Research Institute) put it through. The alarm picked up and reacted to every mannequin that they placed in the pool.
• The PGRM did not respond to the wind test, which is a good indicator that you shouldn't receive as many false alarms. This is nice because a lot of alarms have an issue with false triggers. The alarm has upgraded with newer sensing technology which helps it to have less false alarms.
• The alarm includes a low battery indicator. This will ease your worry that the alarm is working due to a dead battery. You will be alerted and have time to switch batteries before they run out, leaving your pool unmonitored. You will hear the low battery alarm at the pool guard located in your pool and from your household receiver.
• The alarm cannot be deactivated while still attached to your pool. In order to deactivate the alarm you need to remove the guard from the side of the pool while in use.
• Easy installation on your pool deck.
• Remote receiver has a range up to 200 ft.
• Poolside alarm works with a 9 volt battery, which typically has a one year lifespan.
• The poolguard alarm is tamperproof. An alarm will sound when it is removed from the pool.
• Alarm can be used with solar covers and in-wall skimmers.

How to Install

Installation of the Poolguard PGRM-2 In-Ground Pool Alarm is simple and will only take you several minutes with the right tools:

• Attach the handle to the top of the pool alarm by removing the two screws on the top, putting the handle in place and retightening the screws.
• Take out the screw on the bottom of the unit to insert a 9 volt battery. When the battery is inserted the pool alarm will sound. Simply hold the red reset/sleep key for 3-4 seconds to put the alarm to sleep. Once the alarm is inserted at the pool it will reawaken.
• The alarm has a sensing throat that detects movement in the pool. The throat needs to be between 2.5 and 5.5 inches in the water to function properly. The recommended depth is 4 inches.
• With a 5/16″ masonry bit you will need to drill a hole into your pool deck. Before drilling, place the alarm in the proper position to mark where the hole will need to be drilled. Your hole will need to be straight and 2 1/4″ deep.
• Insert the Alarm Stabilizing Pin in the bottom of the alarm into the hole and the alarm is activated.
• Test the alarm by dropping a 4 lb. object into the pool at the furthest point from the alarm. When the ripples reach the alarm (can take several seconds) the alarm should sound.

Other Uses for Your Poolguard Alarm

While most people think of purchasing a pool alarm to keep their children safe from falling in the pool, these items are also highly reviewed by dog owners. There are multiple reviews online by owners of small dogs that have found the alarm very effective, even with the smallest breeds.

The PGRM-2 In-Ground Pool Alarm also works in hot tubs.

FAQs for Poolguard PGRM-2 In-Ground Pool Alarm

Final Thoughts and Things to Consider

This alarm is designed for pools that are up to 800 sq ft. If your pool is over 800 square feet you will want to contact the manufacturer to see if this pool alarm will be a good fit for your pool.

According to multiple reviews, false alarms, while they don't happen often with this alarm, they do happen. However, it is important to remember that false alarms is common with pool alarms as there are many elements that can trigger a movement in the water.

Good Housekeeping chose this alarm as one of their top recommended alarms, but they did mention that they thought this pool alarm could be an easier one to get around. If a child is able to hold the sleep key while pulling the alarm up they would be able to silently remove the alarm and enter the water. Personally, in my opinion, if a child is old enough to figure out how to silently remove the pool alarm they are old enough that you do not need to worry about them falling into the pool. If a child tries to remove the alarm without properly holding the reset/sleep key, the alarm will sound.

This is a solid pool alarm that will help to keep your family and pets safe.

If you are interested in additional pool safety protection, along with the Poolguard PGRM-2, the company also makes a great pool gate alarm that we included in our list of 15 baby proofing items. These two items work great together to keep your family and pets safe.

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