If you have children living with you on a property where a pool is present, the safety of those children should be your top priority. Kids love swimming, of course, but they don’t necessarily understand the dangers that come along with water. It is your job to keep them safe, and installing a quality pool fence is a big step in that direction. By keeping the kids away from the pool when they aren’t supposed to be swimming, you can dramatically reduce the possibility of an accident.

Pool Drowning Statistics

To get a better understanding of the danger which can be posed by water, it is helpful to look at some statistics on drowning. The number of annual drownings around the world, according to the World Health Organization, is more than 350,000. That includes more than just incidents in residential pools, but it gives you a sense of how seriously you need to take this issue.

With regard to kids, the CDC states that the number one cause of death for children between the ages of one and four is drowning. Sadly, more than three-quarters of the drowning deaths which take place annually in the United States involve children less than five years old. As it relates to the topic of pool fences, statistics indicate that the risk of drowning is reduced by approximately 80% when there is a barrier around the entire pool.

Any way you look at the numbers, the message is clear – it is very important to provide a safe environment around your home pool. By purchasing a quality pool fence, and having that fence installed correctly, you can go a long way toward a safe and enjoyable pool experience for years to come.

It Starts with the Adults

Pool fences are great pieces of safety equipment, and you should add one to your pool environment as soon as possible, if there is not already one in place. However, a pool fence alone is not going to ensure safety for kids. As always, it is the adult’s job to monitor the children and make sure they are playing safely around the home – and not putting themselves in harm’s way around the pool.

Child Safety around Pools

Every pool owner should have child safety as a top priority. Your pool fence is going to be a great piece of that puzzle, but it alone is not enough. Be smart, always pay attention to any children who are around your pool, and make sure they understand the importance of safety in that setting. When managed correctly, everyone can have a great time with the pool while staying safe in the process.

Child safety tips for life in a home with a pool include the following –

• Children should always be supervised when anywhere near the pool. Even with a pool fence in place, kids still need to be watched at all times when in the vicinity of a swimming pool. Kids are resourceful and observant, so you never know what they might be able to figure out when playing.
• A sober adult needs to be in charge. Many of the drowning deaths which are reported each year include alcohol playing a significant role. The adult who is in charge of the child or children needs to be completely sober to provide a safe environment.
• Never make assumptions. You should not assume that the gate in the pool fence is closed and latched property, for example. By checking for yourself, you can go the extra mile and make sure that the area is secure. It is never good to make assumptions, and that is particularly true when kids are involved.

Adults are responsible for making good decisions on the behalf of children. This is always an important job, but it becomes particularly important when there is a pool on the premises.

Teaching Kids Good Swimming Habits

When actually using the pool, the pool fence is no longer going to be a relevant piece of safety equipment. You will be inside the fence at this point, of course, so you can’t count on it for help. Obviously adult supervision is required when kids are swimming, but you can also add to their safety by teaching them good habits. Simple things like not jumping into a shallow part of the pool, or playing with things in the water that could potentially be dangerous, will lay a groundwork of safe play that can teach the children to enjoy water properly as they grow up.