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SUMMER SALVATION!

* Another brutally hot and humid summer is in the offing. You just know--and you're dreading it--that you'll soon be dying from the heat again. Cooling off is the Holy Grail, but the cost of an in-ground pool is prohibitive, and running through a sprinkler just doesn't do the trick. Obviously, an above-ground pool would provide a solution, but oh, all the work to put it up: digging up the grass; leveling the ground; trying to entice family and friends to come over to help out; all that hardware to deal with. Ugghh!

It doesn't have to be this way, thanks to Muskin Leisure Products, Inc., Wilkes-Barre, Pa., which has come up with Flexipool, a product so simple in concept that you have to wonder if pool manufacturers have been suffering brainlock for many years. Remember those little rubber splish-splash-type pools you'd get for toddlers, or if you didn't have a big enough backyard, or if you just didn't feel like laying out big bucks? Well, that's Flexipool, only much larger and much better-constructed since it is made from rugged triple-laminate fabric, similar to the material used in the manufacture of Zodiac inflatable boats.

There is no hardware or need for tools to put up this 15' round, 48" deep blue beauty. We even caught a big break in that our ground is already within the one inch of level required. Instead of having to dig up the grass, we just had to give it a thorough raking, making sure no rocks or twigs were left behind. (A tarp or indoor/outdoor carpeting is recommended for under the pool, but it's optional. Some people even lay the pool directly on concrete.) Then we spread out the pool over the designated area and inflated the rim with the foot pump provided. The next step was to fill the pool with a garden hose and watch the amazing sight of the pool sides rising with the water level. Come the fall, you reverse the process and pack up the pool for off-season storage, thus saving on the expense and hassle of winterizing.

Muskin offers two options with this product. You can purchase the fabric pool only ($1,000) or a package ($1,500) which includes the pool, foot pump, ladder, filter, automatic skimmer, and, most important, Aqua Brilliant Water Purifier. The latter releases trace amounts of purifying minerals into the pool to control algae and bacteria naturally, thus significantly reducing the presence of chemicals like chlorine by up to 80%. This helps to avoid red, stinging eyes, bleached hair, and harsh chemical odors.

The filter features a reusable polyester element that is a snap to clean or replace. The ladder swings up when not in use, restricting access to the pool, always a concern when youngsters are involved. Moreover, it is made of sturdy aluminum coated with heavy-duty plastic, while the outside legs add extra support and stability.

Look for Flexipools at pool specialty stores. Bring on the heat!

POOL PARTY

* Whether your pool is in or above ground, there are a number of new products to aid in your family's enjoyment of it. The key words are fun and safety, and the latter should not be sacrificed for the former.

Parents' greatest nightmares concerning pools are centered around the idea of a child wandering out to an untended pool and falling or jumping in when there is no one around to rescue the youngster. The Safety Turtle from Terrapin Communications Inc., Ottawa, Ont., Canada, can alleviate these worries. A turtle-shaped wristband locks securely around a kid's wrist and cannot be removed without a key. Should it be immersed, a radio signal is transmitted to the base station permanently located within 100 feet of the pool and a piercing, loud alarm summons help immediately. The turtle has a battery life of about four years, while the base station plugs into a poolside electric outlet. The Safety Turtle cannot be triggered by rain or a sprinkler spray, preventing annoying false alarms. The base station retails for $120, with wristbands $58 apiece at pool supply stores and through mail-order catalogues.

Youngsters just learning to swim are a concern. Not only must they feel confident in the water, but parents must feel secure that they won't slip beneath the surface if supervising adults become distracted--even for a moment. Floating Swimwear, Inc., Wichita, Kans., can take a lot of the worry away with their...