—Comparing earplug materials and choices to achieve the best fit and most effective protection

Guest blog: Alex Pop, Say What Hearing

You protect your eyes when swimming by wearing goggles, so why not protect your ears with earplugs?

If you spend much time in a swimming pool or the ocean, your best bet is to use earplugs to guard against swimmer’s ear, surfer’s ear, and other ear infections. This guide will help you will find the right pair of earplugs to fit your ears and your swimming needs.

—Affordable sports, floating board games, and other fun pool gear for healthy, high-energy fun

Your inground swimming pool offers numerous benefits. It beautifies your home, cools you off on a hot day, enhances family togetherness, and often boosts your property value.

Along with being a convenient setting for relaxation, your pool can also serve as an endless source of healthy outdoor recreation. Kids love to actively play in a pool with their pals, as do many adults.

Your pool is a fun-filled amenity on its own, but you may want to safely up its sun-splashed fun factor in a number of ways, especially by adding toys and games into the mix.

—Create a backyard resort by adding shade, alfresco dining options, and other outdoor amenities

A swimming pool can serve as the foundation of a backyard resort and provide a great return-on-investment—especially if it becomes the setting for years of fuss-free staycations.

Relax in the sun & water with clever inflatable lounges

How do you relax in your backyard resort? If you’re like many swimming pool owners, you kick back by lounging on a comfortable pool float—or would like to, but need to shop for a few to outfit your pool.

Fun ways to make your backyard festive and patriotic

The summer’s biggest holiday celebration is just around the corner, and if you’re throwing a backyard pool party to celebrate America, you’re going to need decorations that show off your USA spirit! 

Simple steps that make all the difference

Whether you’re an active or recreational swimmer, you’re probably familiar with how chlorinated pools can wreak havoc on your hair, skin, and nails. For your hair in particular, chlorinated water can break down and dry out the cuticle─leaving you with a brittle, tangled mess!

Unfortunately, chlorinated swimming pools are tough to avoid: While pool sanitizing technology has improved by leaps and bounds over the last few years, many public and private pools still use heavy chemical loads in their water. Outside of the controlled environment of your backyard pool (where safer, gentler methods like UV light and ozone can be used), you’re bound to encounter chlorine─and all of its nasty side effects.

Looking to enjoy a dip in the pool while keeping you hair fresh, happy, and healthy? Stay low-stress and tame your tresses with these 5 Ways to Protect Your Hair from Harsh Pool Chlorine.

How to bring the romance to your backyard and swimming pool (in photos)

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and romance is in the air. But can getting cozy be costly? According to a match.com survey, it costs roughly $738.36 a year, just to date, and this number doesn’t take into account the florists, restaurants, and retailers that capitalize on your need to level up your romance game every Valentine’s Day.

A study by U.S. News last year found that an average of $18.9 billion was spent on Valentine’s Day, with guys shelling out over $200, and ladies around $100. In an economy where Americans spend only about $100 - 150 a week on food, those are some high numbers! 

Looking to turn up the passion without breaking the bank on February 14^th? Here are 5 Simple Ways to Save Money this Valentine’s Day: How to bring the romance to your backyard and swimming pool.