If you have a private pool in your backyard, the first thing to think about is safety. This is even more important if you have small children. Every year in the United States, 300 children grow up in private residential swimming pools. The number is much higher by the number of incidents each year. Nobody wants their child to have a bad experience with a swimming pool. Arizona is the state with the highest number of incidents. If you don’t want something like this to happen to you, there are a few things to remember when having a private pool. The first thing that prevents children from entering a pool is a fence or wall that surrounds it.
If you want your fence to protect most effectively, the fence should be at least four feet high and the shingles should be no more than four inches wide. Anything less than four feet can cause a child to climb the fence and children can slip through the slats if they are not short enough. Make sure your fence locks and there are no good hand or footholds for your child to climb over. Door alarms are also something that will definitely help protect your child. Put an alarm on the gate leading to the pool that will make a sound every time the gate is opened unexpectedly. Set this alarm to a code that only adults know, and place the pad out of the reach of children.
A small alternative to alarms or fences in an electric security cover for your pool. This will ensure that no one can get into the water without first opening the lid. This of course is an alternative because it is more difficult to monitor and can be quite expensive. The most used tactics are those mentioned above. Of course, anything you build or place in your home can never replace the ultimate security measure, your own discretion and care. You are the number one defense in keeping your children safe from the dangers that come with a private pool. When you are near the pool, always keep an eye on small children and do not leave them for even a second. Seconds is all it can take for your child to sink. If a child suddenly goes missing at home, check the pool first. Little time spent searching anywhere else can increase the chances of injury.
Never prop a pool gate open or leave a gate leading to a pool open, and don’t leave toys around the pool, as this may attract young children. Following these simple steps will increase the safety of your pool and your family. Young children do not know how to take care of themselves and it is their job. Always remember to keep an eye on your children and keep them safe from harm. Pools are some of the most fun you’ll have in your home, and keeping them safe makes it that much more fun.
