New and remodeled pools now require pool alarms. That, after the State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council adopted emergency regulations.

The pool alarm requirements are literally designed to be lifesavers.

State officials, concerned with the number of children drowning in pools, just adopted the new safety measures Wednesday.

Now, alarms are required on any pool - in-ground or above-ground - built or modified after December 14, 2006.

Here's how they work:

If somebody falls into the pool, the alarm is activated because it senses waves. The alarm goes off near the pool and can even be set to go off inside your home.

Jeff Stephenson of Swan Pools in Ilion, says the alarms are noisy, but definitely worth it even if your pool doesn't fall under the new State requirements.

"If it goes off in the middle of the night, we're going to wake up everyone within probably a block or two, but it's purposely that way so you can get to the pool as quick as possible," Stephenson said.

Pool alarms cost about $150, and Stephenson says they're easy to install. Alarms are not required in hot tubs and spas with safety covers, or in pools with automatic power safety covers.

But remember - pool alarms don't guarantee safety.

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