Usually on the safety blog, we focus on the United States. Unfortunately, the truth is that drowning danger doesn’t respect boundaries. With that in mind, let’s take a trip to our friends in the north. Let’s talk swimming safety in Canada.
New Regulations Mean Swimming Safety in Canada
In a recent announcement, there are some changes coming to pool safety in Quebec. To help reduce the child drowning incidents, the government implemented some tightened security measures. As of July 1st, these new provincial rules will affect all residential pools in the area.
To this end, the stricter rules include:
- Chain link pool fences should have a mesh size of more than 30mm. Additionally, they must be battened down.
- No structure or fixed equipment likely to be used to climb over the wall of a swimming pool or enclosure should be installed within one meter of the pool.
- Pools equipped with a diving board must be installed in accordance with the new (BNQ 9461-100) standard, aimed at preventing spinal cord injuries related to diving accidents.
- No window should be situated within one meter of a pool or an enclosure, unless it is at a minimum height of three meters or its maximum opening is 10 cm.
To encourage swimming safety in Canada, people are advised to begin following these regulations as quickly as possible. That said, there is a grace period of two years in place. This should give people time to make the necessary adjustments.
Safety Starts with a Pool Fence
Of that regulation list for swimming safety in Canada, the one that is closest to our hearts is the pool fence rule. A sturdy, well-made and properly installed pool fence is crucial for water safety.
On this blog, we’ve discussed pool safety laws in the United States in the past. The fact is, pool safety laws are helpful, but they are also only part of the solution. True swimming safety for children requires layers of protection and attentive adult supervision.
Pool Fences Should be Strong
If a fence isn’t strong, a child or even a pet can simply push it over. A fallen fence becomes a tripping hazard and an extra drowning risk.
This is where a strong mesh pool safety fence comes in handy. To be truly safe, the fence should offer proper “tension-based support.” It should be able to withstand the elements…and curious children.
Here’s a video that shows the stopping power of the Textilene mesh in a Life Saver Pool Fence:
Build that Pool Fence High
Height is next important element of a proper pool fence. The higher the fence, the safer it will make your pool area. For an average toddler, a fence should reach at least four feet in height. Above all, you want to buy a pool fence that can’t be scaled or stepped over.
For Canadians looking for more information on residential swimming pool safety regulations, visit www.quebec.ca/piscinesresidentielles (in French). To learn more about pool fences, our safety blog offers a wealth of information for concerned swimmers. Finally, for more information about pool fences, our full blog post about what to look for when buying a pool fence is an excellent resource.
