Last Updated on November 23, 2020
Accidental drowning of children aged 4 years and below is one of the main cause of death in the US. As a result, pool safety is one of the things you should be concerned about if you have pets or children. Nowadays, most people are preferring installing an above ground pool because it has varied options when compared to a permanent in-ground pool. Some of the options it offers include:
- It does not require a lot of maintenance.
- It is fast and easy to remove the pool if the need arises e.g. when you decide to sell your house.
- You choose the size of the pool you want to install. You can have a small, medium or large pool depending on your budget and the size of your yard among other factors.
Everything You Need To Know About Pool Fences
There are different types of pool fences you can choose from while still considering a number of factors like estimated budget, availability and the cost of materials, labor costs etc. If you consider all these factors, a mesh pool fence is an ideal option for your pool because it is affordable, easy to install and remove whenever you need to. It is important to understand that pool fencing standards are adopted by states, municipalities, and counties and they vary greatly in scope and strength. These requirements can vary depending on the type of your pool and location and pool fencing regulations are mostly found in building codes, statutory codes, zoning codes, administrative codes, and zoning ordinances. The legal codes for a pool fencing include the following:
- The fence should be at least 4 feet tall
- The fence should offer less than 4 inches clearance on the bottom
- The gate should be self-closing and self-locking to ensure that it is always locked and safe
- The fence should not have handholds or footholds that allow climbing – this is to discourage unauthorized people from climbing over the fence and access the pool without permission
Pool fence options
You can use any type of material to construct a pool barrier as long as the materials meet all compliance and safety regulations. For example, the pool barrier should not have entrapping spaces, sharp edges or projections to minimize the risk of causing injuries. Some of the common fencing options include the following:
Glass
This is one of the types of pool fence that’s quite expensive to install and maintain. However, there are homeowners who prefer this type of fencing because it is visually appealing and offers unobstructed view both in and outside the pool. Glass fencing is durable and climb-resistant making it one of the safest pool fencing option. The fence is made of safety glass panels that can be installed in two ways i.e. The panels can be set into spigots or get bolted into concrete (frameless) or fix the panels between posts (semi-frameless). If you are considering installing a glass fence around your pool, you can get professional opinion and advice on the best way to install the fence and how you are required to maintain it to last long.
Mesh
Mesh is the easiest type of pool fence that you can install and remove. To most homeowners, the mesh is affordable and it can work as a temporary fence if you need one. If you have children, mesh fence is climb resistant and it is available in a wide range of colors, styles, and heights. If you spend a lot of time researching about mesh pool fences, you can find rip and fade proof mesh fencing. Finally, just like glass, this fence allows a clear view of your pool area. Therefore, you can monitor what’s going on in your pool area while still enjoying the view.
Metal frame
These types of fences are made of aluminum tubing or stainless steel materials. Aluminum is the most preferred material because it lasts long, has low maintenance costs and it is very strong. However, metal frame fences can be easy for children to climb over and they can obstruct the view of your pool area.
Wood
Wood is also a fencing option to some people although it is becoming less popular with time. One of the reasons why most people are not using wood to fence their pools is because it is not a safe choice. For instance, it is very hard to see whether there is someone in the pool area and it isn’t climb-resistant. In addition, wood requires regular maintenance where you need to repaint and treat the wood at least once every year. If you own a swimming pool, you have a responsibility in ensuring that safety in and around the pool is a priority at all times. Here are some of the ways you can use to reduce liability or at least reduce the risk of drowning or accidents:
- Pool covers – you can use pool covers to keep the children away while still preventing uninvited guests from accessing your pool.
- Supervision – your swimming pool should always have adult supervision just in case of an accident. This applies even if you have grown-ups swimming because anything can happen.
- Safety devices – you should provide safety devices to swimmers. Some of the safety devices include life jackets and safety pole. You should also have a first aid kit and a ring buoy to help swimmers out of the pool. Also, having built-in ladders in your pool is vital because it makes it easy for swimmers to get out of the pool.
- Non-slick surfaces – installing non-slick surfaces around the pool can prevent swimmers from getting injuries when they fall into the water or on the deck of the pool.
Conclusion
Pool safety is very important especially if you have children, pets or even a party. You need to take necessary precautions such as fencing, taking swimming lessons, forbidding alcohol near the pool, prohibiting swimming during rain or thunderstorms and keeping electric devices away from the pool. Finally, you can install a smart alarm system so that you can get an alert when someone or something is in the pool area or in the water.
