Pool Fences: Make Your Swimming Pool Safe

A swimming pool in your own backyard provides hours of fun and entertainment for your family. But keeping your children and pets safe and protected from accidental drowning is vital. Swimming pool fences that completely surround the swimming pool and prevent access to the pool are key to providing this security.

Drowning is the second leading cause of death in children 1 - 14 years old. A pool fence prevents children and pets from getting to your pool. This is the reason a safety pool fence is required by law in many parts of the United States. But even if it isn't required in your area, it is still a necessity to surround your pool with one. A pool fence will protect your liability and help you to sleep better at night knowing that your family is protected.

Pets are another reason to have a pool fence barrier installed. Your pet may know how to swim, but may have a difficult time finding his/her way out of the pool. And to keep their pool clean, many pool owners prefer keeping pets out of their pool.

When choosing a pool fence, there are important factors to keep in mind. There are different types of swimming pool fences available. These include metal, mesh, wood and plastic. Metal is reliable, but it can block the view of your pool. While wood fences are quite pretty, they usually must be repainted or repaired within a few years. Plastic fences are more likely to split and break than wood or metal. Removable mesh fences are becoming increasingly popular. But even though they are light in weight, removable pool fences are strong enough to keep your children and pets from accessing your swimming pool. They are also more transparent than other fences. So you will have better views of your landscaping and swimming pool.

Another important factor is the height of your pool fence. Your fence should be at least 4 feet tall to prevent children from climbing over and pets from jumping over.

Pool gates are also important. Be sure to choose a self-closing, self-latching gate that is key lockable so that children cannot open the gate to get to the pool. Also, make sure that the release mechanism is located on the pool side of the gate.

Make sure that your pool fence barrier is safe and reliable. Have a professional pool fence installer set up your fence, and always insist that he is licensed and insured. Professional installers have the knowledge and experience to ensure you end up with a strong and safe barrier that will prevent your child or pet from accidental drowning.

Why take chances? Protect your children and pets with a swimming pool safety fence. You will sleep much better at night knowing that your family is safe and secure.