There’s no better way to beat the summer heat than swimming in your private pool. But if you have kids running around, you can’t forget the danger a swimming pool presents. Pools and spas are responsible for approximately 350 child deaths per year, and nearly 80 percent of those children are younger than five.
Even if children know how to swim, the danger of drowning still exists. The good news is that with a little help from our team, your children can stay safe by your pool this summer. Continue reading to learn more about pool safety for children.
Build a fence
Installing a fence around the pool is the best way to protect your family, friends and even pets from drowning. After all, it’s not just children who are at risk of drowning. Your pool fence should be at least four to five feet tall and have a self-latching gate that automatically closes when left open.
While there are plenty of pre-fabricated pool fences available on the market, we recommend hiring a professional to build a custom fence. A custom fence looks better than something you’d find online or in a big-box store, so it’s not going to be an eyesore in your yard. Additionally, a hardscaping contractor will ensure the fence is sturdy enough to properly protect a child with a pool fence.
Just be sure to leave enough room around the edge of the pool and your new fence. We recommend leaving at least three feet of space between the fence and any pool furniture you may have. Before building your fence, consider adding a new pool deck made of pavers to really spruce up your backyard space!
Restrict pool access when it’s not in use
If you’re not using the pool, neither should your kids. Be sure to lock the fence gate after your family is all done swimming for the day. Consider installing a motorized pool cover that prevents anyone (or anything) from falling in when the pool isn’t in use. Many pool covers are equipped with alarms that detect underwater movement as an added layer of protection.
Schedule swimming lessons
As we mentioned above, even people who know how to swim are in danger of drowning. That said, teaching your kids to swim at an early age does help when it comes to pool safety. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), professionally-taught swimming lessons can reduce the chances of drowning deaths by 88 percent.
When your children are practicing their swimming at home, be sure to teach them about the dangers of drowning so they know pools aren’t all fun and games.
Talk to our team at MSE Hardscape Design and Installation
Before you dive into your pool this summer, call our professionals to learn more about how to protect a child with a pool fence. Our range of hardscaping services extends from fence building to paver installation, so we can meet all of your backyard needs. Request an estimate today or call us to learn more about our company.