Layers of Protection

While there is no substitute for adult supervision, safeguards and barriers around pools and spas provide additional critical protection for children.

Think of these barriers as you would hurdles or speed bumps. They are designed to slow a child down and provide the caretaker with additional time to prevent a child from getting to the pool or spa.

These barriers include the following:

• Pool Alarms
• Power Safety Covers
• Isolation/Mesh Fencing
• Perimeter Fencing
• Door/Gate Alarms
  

Beware of common distractions such as:

• Telephone calls, either incoming or outgoing
• Doorbells
• Something cooking, overheating, etc.
• The laundry you have to remove, etc.
• Another child making a mess, crying, etc.
• Other children fighting, running, etc.
• The other child's diaper you go to change.
• The other child you have to give a bottle to.
• The other child you are feeding.
• The pet that causes a mess, runs around, gets in a fight or wants to go out or come in.

LAYERS OF PROTECTION

Sub-surface Pool Alarm:

Designed to sound an alarm immediately when a child enters the pool. Look for a pool alarm that is professionally installed, detects immediately, and one that doesn’t create false alarms. A pool alarm can be your best line of defense when all other barriers fail to keep the child out of the pool or spa. The CPSC study looked at three types of alarms: floating alarms that detect waves on the surface; underwater alarms that detect waves under the surface; and a wristband alarm, which is worn by a child, and alarms when exposed to water.

“Pool alarms can be used as an added precaution. Underwater pool alarms generally perform better and can be used in conjunction with pool covers. CPSC advises that consumers use remote alarm receivers so the alarm can be heard inside the house or in other places away from the pool area.” from CPSC article.

Power Safety Cover:

Pool covers are designed to be used as a safety device and are also good for keeping debris out of the pool. Install a power safety cover that meets the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Pool covers should always be completely removed prior to pool use.

Permanent Fencing:

Install a fence to separate your house and play area of the yard from the pool. Install a fence at least 4 feet high or 5 feet high (depending on your state’s code) around all 4 sides of the pool. Horizontal components shall be spaced at a minimum of 45 inches apart and shall be a minimum of 20 inches from the water’s edge. Enclose the pool completely with a self-locking, self-closing fence with vertical bars. Most young children who drown in pools wander out of the house and fall into the pool.

Gate:

Gates should be self-closing and self-latching, opening outward away from pool, with latches higher than your children's reach. Regularly check that the gate latches securely and that the spring mechanisms work properly. Regularly oil the hinges and latches.

Removable/Mesh Fencing:

A removable pool fence is constructed of see-through, polyester mesh mounted on aluminum or fiberglass support poles. The fence is placed into aluminum or plastic sleeves installed into your deck surface. The bottom border of the fence material should be flush to your deck so as to prevent a child from pushing under. The basic principal that keeps a pool fence in place is bilateral tension and the fence should be checked periodically to insure that you have the benefit of its full function.

Door Alarms:

These alarms are designed to be used on doors attached to the house which lead directly to the pool. When the door is opened an audible alarm sounds. These alarms, which are turned on and off using a key or a keypad, are either battery powered or use the home’s current. They are affordable, easy to install, and provide a warning if the door is opened. They are also useful in detecting intruders. Disadvantages include the fact that they can be unintentionally left off, the pitch of the alarm may be limited, and when adults and supervised children are entering the pool they must be turned off. Additionally, if you have a doggie door the alarm is compromised because children can crawl through the smaller door.

Gate Alarms:

Gate alarms are mounted directly on your pool’s gate with two magnetic switches. These alarms, which are battery powered, activate when the gate is opened and the electrical field is broken. There is an override button that can be pressed by an adult to allow them to pass through without sounding the alarm. Gate alarms are designed for outdoor use, come in many different sizes, are inexpensive, and easy to install. The disadvantages of these devices includes that they are battery powered, possess no audible low battery indicator, and they have no DC power adaptor.