Safety Tips from Arizona Childproofers: Do I Really Need a Pool Fence?

Thursday, May 11, 2023

Do I Really Need a Pool Fence?

You build a beautiful pool in your back yard. Your doors to the yard are self-closing/self-latching and you have locks on them. You keep your eyes on your children all of the time. Why do you need a pool fence? It ruins the view.

This is a very common question. Parents and Grandparents and others ask this question a lot.

The answer is simple: Pool Fences help save lives!

POOL FENCE – ONE LAYER OF PROTECTION: Pool Safety is all about Layers

1. Pool Fence w/self-closing/self-latching gate

2. Self-closing/self-latching and/or locks on doors leading to the pool area

3. Swimming lessons for the children

4. Always have adult supervision when any one is in the pool

5. CPR Classes for the adults and older children

POINTS ABOUT POOL FENCES

1. First responders will tell you to NEVER take your fence down

a. It helps protects your children

b. It helps protects your family's children

c. It helps protects your friends' children

2. Pool Fences

a. Gives you added time if a child escapes from the house

b. Protect your pool from your children’s play area

c. Give you added peace of mind

d. Never takes the place of adult supervision

3. Climbing Issues

a. Nothing should be next to a Pool Fence that a child can climb up on

i. Chairs

ii. Rocks and Pool Features

iii. Toys

iv. Trees

v. ETC.

HOW TALL SHOULD A POOL FENCE BE?

1. City Codes usually say between 4 and 5 feet

2. Childproofers usually say 5 feet

a. 4’ Fence with a 2’ chair next to it becomes a 2’ fence

As a Parent, Grandparent, Aunt, Uncle or Friend…..the tragedy of losing a child in your pool is life changing. A Pool Fence is a VERY important part of the layers of protection. IF the adult supervision fails, the door lock fails, and the training fails THEN the pool fence will give you more time to find that little one, stop an older one, and keep critters out!