Buying a pool fence isn’t difficult. You just need to be sure that you’re buying the right fence. After all, pool fences are one of the key layers of defense when protecting your loved ones from drowning. While some may seem like a great buy, they may lack several key safety features. Since drowning is the leading cause of death among children aged 1-4, it is important that consumers know exactly what to look for.
Here is our list of fundamental components that every pool fence should include. Whether you’re purchasing from Life Saver Pool Fence or not, choosing a pool fence is a serious purchase. Your ultimate decision should be thoughtfully researched. After all, it’s all about your child’s water safety.
With luck, this list will make the process of buying a pool fence easier.
#1 – A Self-Latching, Self-Closing Gate
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Academy of Pediatrics recommend a self-latching, self-closing gate. This gate will automatically close behind you, thanks to its magnetic power. Even if you forget to manually close the gate, you can rest easy that it will safely close itself. Buying a pool fence with a self-latching, self-closing gate takes all of the worry away. You can walk away from your pool knowing that it has closed and latched by itself.
#2 – Strong, Resistant Mesh
When you’re buying a pool fence, the mesh is the most important component. The heart of any pool fence is its mesh. Imagine your child pushing against your fence. If it is not strong enough, they can push right through it and fall into the pool. “Tension-based support” is a crucial term to look out for when you are shopping for a fence.
When buying a pool fence, you should expect some regular wear-and-tear. This is normal. That said, your mesh must be resistant to tears and punctures. If a tear does occur, the mesh should return to its original shape. For example, Life Saver Pool Fence uses Textilene® mesh. This supports years of use in all weather conditions with a strength rating of 387 lbs. per square inch. You can learn all about it in this video.
Polyester mesh with vinyl coating is also an important factor to look for in your mesh when buying a pool fence. The smooth vinyl coatings are mildew resistant and allow easy cleaning, unlike the grainy finishes of older-style dipped interlocking nylon products that have a tendency to trap both growths and dirt.
#3 – Height of the Pool Fence
In general, the higher your fence, the better. For an average toddler, we recommend purchasing a fence that’s at least 4-feet tall. Keep in mind that your child will grow. Therefore, instead of purchasing a new fence every foot your child grows, your smartest investment would be to purchase the highest possible fence.
#4 – Poles
The quality of your poles is also an important factor to consider when purchasing a pool fence. Your poles should be triple-reinforced to exceed all local safety requirements. At Life Saver, we use aluminum support poles. These provide both tension and strength for the fence, so the least distance apart the better. As a standard, we normally recommend that your poles be no more than 36-inches apart. Poles should also have a reinforced ultra-tough exterior layer and a bend-but-never-break interior layer.
#5 – Pool Fence Borders
For maximum safety, your pool safety fence mesh should also be bordered on all four sides with vinyl border. Not only does this provide a finished look to your fence but it also prevents unraveling of the mesh itself. Check the border material to insure that it has visible reinforcement built into the vinyl to provide additional strength to the fence and eliminate sagging over time. The border makes your pool even safer and stronger.
Addition Features To Look For When Buying a Pool Fence
- Round-head fasteners and rounded edges, which means that there are no sharp edges.
- UV-Resistant components that will protect your pool fence from sun damage.
- Stainless steel screws.
That’s it! As we’ve mentioned in previous blogs, it’s critical to handle all of your potential drowning hazards. Pool safety experts recommend that you have all “layers of protection” in place to prevent a drowning. Buying a mesh pool safety fence is a critical first step in keeping your family safer around the water, but there’s still a lot to do to completely secure your pool and prevent drownings.
For more information about water safety, please check out some of our recent water safety blogs:
