Swimming Pool Safety Fences

Why Fences?

Accidental drownings are one of the leading causes of death among children under five years old, and thousands of children suffer near-drowning injuries each year, even when parents and other adults are close by. A young child can drown in just an inch of water, and debilitating brain damage can occur quickly once a child is deprived of oxygen. A sturdy safety fence is a strong defense against such tragedies, and when combined with additional safety equipment and safe behavior, can help prevent nearly all pool-related accidents.

Characteristics of Swimming Pool Safety Fences

A good safety fence is far more than just a barrier between the child and the pool. High quality safety fences have several important characteristics, including:

• Proper height: Safety fences should be a minimum of three and a half feet tall, and different designs are available up to six feet tall. A taller fence, naturally, will be more effective in preventing older or more active children from accessing the pool area.
• Sturdy construction: Whether the fence is removable or permanent, it should be sturdy and strong to resist bending, warping and breaking. Marine grade materials are preferred because they can resist pool chemicals and other environmental factors. Metal fences should also be rust-resistant.
• Latching gate: A self-latching gate is essential for effective swimming pool safety fences – the gate should swing closed and latch properly to prevent children from encountering an open gate. Ideally, the latch should be out of reach of children, and adding a padlock or other lock is an additional safety feature.
• Good mesh or bar placement: The bulk of the fence, screen mesh or vertical bars should be appropriately sized to prevent kids from squeezing through bars or using mesh as footholds to climb the fence. Bars should be no greater than four inches apart, and mesh openings should be no greater than one and a half inches in width. Parents should pay attention to gaps beneath the fence as well so children cannot crawl underneath.

Incorporating all these features does not mean that a safety fence has to be an eyesore that ruins the design of the pool area. Many fence manufacturers offer a range of colors and designs to match any pool décor, and clear mesh is even available as a more discreet option that facilitates supervision. Pool fences come in different section sizes and can be customized to suit any size or shape swimming pool.

Proper Installation

For the best safety precautions, professional installation of a pool safety fence is recommended. Fences should be installed so that:

• They are not near objects that can help children climb or step over them, such as retaining walls, boulders, trees or other landscaping features.
• They completely surround all sides of the pool, even near hedges.
• The gate can swing closed strongly enough to latch without assistance.

Many fence companies offer free estimates and consultations about safety fences and will offer installation tips as well.

More Safety Fence Benefits

In addition to the invaluable protection that pool safety fences offer, they also have additional benefits that can keep a pool area attractive. An effective fence will also keep pets and wild animals away from the pool, and it can provide a security measure against pool intruders or vandals. Fences can also help keep debris and trash from blowing into the pool area, helping keep the pool cleaner and maintenance costs lower.

Additional Safety Practices

Despite the benefits of safety fences, parents must realize that a fence is not a foolproof safety barrier. Young children, in particular, are continually discovering new skills and talents, and in so doing, can easily find ways to go over, under or around a safety fence. Adding multiple layers of safety can create an even safer environment for the whole family.

• Add additional safety equipment, such as a pool gate alarm, pool cover and pool safety net.
• Remove ladders and steps from above ground pools when not in use to make them harder to access.
• Remove all pool toys when not in use to eliminate attractions for children.
• Enroll children in swimming lessons or teach them to swim at an early age.
• Have adults and teenagers who may supervise younger children learn infant and child CPR techniques.
• Have safety equipment – hooks, nets, floatation devices, etc. – near the pool area at all times.
• Establish strict behavioral guidelines and discipline for pool activity, including safety violations such as leaving the gate open or climbing the fence.
• When a child is missing, check the pool area thoroughly first to minimize time for potential pool accidents.

Where to Find Pool Fences

There are many manufacturers who specialize in pool safety fences, the majority of which are concentrated in western and southern, sunny states where more pool-related accidents occur, including Florida, California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. In addition to specialized pool equipment dealers, however, interested consumers can contact local fencing professionals about their safety products.

Popular safety fence manufacturers include:

• Pool Safety Fences
• Protect-A-Child
• All-Safe Pool Safety Barriers
• Life Saver Pool Fence
• Pool Center
• Fence Town
• Katchakid
• Guardian Pool Fence Systems, Inc.
• Safety Pool Fence Company
• QCE Aluminum Fence

Before choosing a specific dealer, consumers should investigate their manufacturing and installation practices, customer testimonials and other information to ensure they are making a good purchase for their specific needs.

In Conclusion

Swimming pool safety fences can help prevent accidental drownings and other pool-related incidents, but only when they are used properly and combined with other safety practices. With caution and responsibility, fences can be one in a long line of pool safeguards that make keeping cool safe and easy.