When it comes to water safety, a self-closing pool gate is a must-have item. By now, readers of this blog should know that it is vital to have a pool fence. We believe that no one can ever be too careful, especially when it comes to protecting the lives of children.
Unfortunately, all pool fences are not created equally. Since drowning is the leading cause of death among children between the ages of one and four, it pays to stay educated. And the fact is, many pool fences lack key safety features. Today, we’ll be examining the key features that all consumers should look for in a fence.
Basic Fence Safety Features
On the most basic level, there are a few fundamental components that every pool fence should include. For removable pool fences to be effective, they must be at least 48 inches tall. The individual slats should not be any more than four inches apart from one another. This prevents young children from climbing over or squeezing through the fence. Overall, you’re aiming to post a clear barrier between your home and the general pool area. The biggest value of a fence is the peace of mind it provides.
The Value of a Self-Closing Pool Gate
When a pool fence is properly installed, your child should not be able to approach the pool without your express knowledge. It provides a safeguard, even if you accidentally leave the door ajar. That’s where a self-closing pool gate comes in!
A pool fence with a wide open gate is useless. A child can walk right passed the fence and find themselves in danger. For this reason, both the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Academy of Pediatrics recommend a self-latching, self-closing pool gate. This is a purposefully designed gate that will automatically shut behind you. Now you won’t need to worry about manually locking up each and every time you enter or exit your pool area. Installing a fence with a self-latching, self-closing gate will lock up for you. It’s easier and its significantly eliminates a potential drowning hazard.
Feel Safer with Additional Layers of Protection
At Life Saver Pool Fence, we don’t believe in putting all of our eggs in one basket. A pool fence and self-closing pool gate are great, but there’s still more you can do to prevent a drowning. Every hope will be better served by installing multiple layers of protection.
Beyond a pool fence, here are some other measures you can take to avoid a potential water tragedy:
- Add high locks to all of the doors and windows leading to the pool.
- Add alarms on the doors and windows that access the pool.
- Place an extra alarm inside the pool to warn if someone is in the water.
- An alarm, like the Safety Turtle can be worn on your child.
- Everyone should be properly trained. Swimming lessons should be given as early as you and your pediatrician feel comfortable. Infant swim lessons start training babies to roll over and float earlier than you might think.
- Having CPR training can save a life.
Along with the self-closing pool gate and properly installed fence, these layer of protection can help prevent your loved ones from drowning.
