The first day of summer is right around the corner. The air is getting warmer, the days are getting longer, and the sun is getting brighter. It’s time to enjoy the outdoors, get into the back yard with friends and family! To escape the impending summer heat, many people dip right into the nearest swimming pool.
At Professional Grade Fence, it’s our goal to promote pool safety in the effort to keep our neighbors happy and healthy. According to the Safer Water Safety Foundation, drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for children five and under. Of all preschoolers who drown, 70% are in the presence of parents and 75% were “out of sight” for only five minutes or less. 98% of pool accidents happen at home, leaving full safety responsibilities to the pool owners. Pool safety is extremely important to us and to our customers. To help, we offer pool safety tips.
Professional Grade Fence believes that the only time children should be by the pool is when they are under adult supervision. There are also additional preventative techniques to stop unexpected accidents. We recommended installing a pool fence that is at least sixty inches tall. We recommend using vertical fencing because the vertical pickets limit footholds for a child to climb over the fence and into the pool area. Horizontal rails need to be spaced approx. 54” inches apart, preventing leverage for the children. Also, it is important that any access gates through the enclosure open away from the swimming pool, and are self-closing with a self-latching device placed no lower than 60 inches above the ground.
Vertical pickets should not allow passage of a sphere equal to or greater than four inches in diameter. The wider the gaps, the more likely it is that the young children can use the gaps to squeeze through. The same goes for the gap between the fence and the ground. The gap should not exceed two inches; otherwise, this allows enough room for a small child to wedge their way through. Check with your local city and county for updates on pool safety codes and requirements as they may differ and will take precedence.
If you are interested in increasing your pool security, Professional Grade Fence is here to help. We offer both metal and vinyl fencing to reinforce your pool area, as well as a selection of gates and locks for pool area entrances and exits. We also employ highly educated employees who can assist you in fence installation with the suggested pool safety requirements for your property. The investment will help improve your property, improve your safety, and improve your summer.
