subject: 4 Ways For Creating A Safer Pool Area For Your Family [print this page] Having a luxurious open-plan pool and having small children running around just won't mix. Tragically, the many recent infant drownings and other serious incidents around the nation have made pool safety an absolutely vital primary issue for all families. Here's some tips for creating a safer area around your pool. Check with your pool suppliers for what's available locally.
1. Fencing.
Pool fencing is mandatory for all new pools. The basic principle is all-round child safety, including all points of access to the pool from the house.
These are the most common areas of concern:
There shouldn't be anything at all climbable around the pool area.
There should be no weak spots in the fence, like old loose assembly, missing rails or a spot where kids can get under it. (Or even dig under it, in some cases.)
Make absolutely certain there is nothing stacked against the pool fence which makes it climbable. That includes toys or other things which can be used as steps.
Steel mesh fences (not 'chicken wire', which routinely falls apart, but hard mesh) can be very effective all round blocks to access, and they're long lasting.
2. Childproof locks and automatically-closing gates.
The problem is that bright kids can easily find their way through access points if they're not fully secured. In this case, healthy parental paranoia is a very good idea. There's one basic rule: Keep the gate locks in good condition. Ensure the latch and the self-closing mechanism are in good working order and not prone to jamming or sticking.
The surfaces around your pool
Slippery surfaces are basically injury factories for kids and adults alike. They're extremely dangerous, and can do serious damage. Stopping kids running may be difficult, but saving them from slips is easy. A good non-slip surface is available for any pool, and you can also help out your public liability insurance in the process.
3. Making firm rules for kids.
It's vital that kids are made aware of the dangers and most importantly the reasons for your rules.
Explain the situation and the risks, making it clear that you're speaking in your good, friendly 'parental' role as part of the rules. That makes more sense than 'Don't' without any information to support it.
Add the possibility that the pool will be off limits if the rules aren't followed to the letter. This is a workable option, and will be recognized by the kids as such.
4. Going high-tech gate alarms and water-level alarms.
Alarms fitted to locks and the pool, and even the kids themselves, are becoming very popular.
Access point alarms- These are basic automatic alarms set off by opening the gate or door.
Water level alarms- These alarms work on the basis of water displacement, and are easy to manage when you want to use the pool.
Bracelet or 'turtle' alarms- These alarms are put on the wrist, and go off if the bracelet gets wet
