With the upcoming holiday weekend and, for most folks, the first blast of summer swimming pool season — it just seemed appropriate to share our post from last summer — again. Enjoy your pool, but by all means, play safely!
No one can argue with the monumental importance of pool safety — but even with tighter community regulations and technological advances in safety products, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that over 300 children under the age of five drown in residential pools each year nationwide. In order for you to keep the ones you love safe and sound, experts agree that implementing multiple layers of protection is one of the best ways to create a comprehensive safety plan for your pool.
The first product most people consider installing is a pool fence. The CPSC defines a successful pool barrier as one that prevents a child from getting over, under, or through and keeps the child from gaining access to the pool except when supervising adults are present. One that completely contains the pool is thought to be the best protection. 
Township safety codes vary across the region, but general guidelines require a fence to be at least four feet high around the pool or property, with a 54-inch tall gate that includes a spring-loaded latch. The gate must open away from the pool, as a child’s instinct is to push on the gate. Whether it’s wood, vinyl, or aluminum, a pool fence can be safe and something that enhances your landscape.
Beyond going to great lengths to physically secure your pool, you can have an additional layer of emergency training by learning CPR. Check with your area hospital to become certified, a process that only takes a few hours to learn but could save a life. While all the latest techie gadgets (such as a pool-motion alarm) or a secure fence can beef up your pool safety, nothing takes the place of being within arms’ reach of your children in the pool — and knowing where they are at all times. Alarms, a high fence, swim lessons, and parental supervision all add up to pool safety.
Related Posts: Gateway to Paradise,
Pool Safety: Gadgets,
Pool Safety: Swimming Lessons
Related Links: Pool Fences
Source: Suburban Home & Garden Resource Guide, July 2007
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