If you have a backyard swimming pool then you know how important it is to make it as safe as possible, not only for your family and your pets, but also for anyone else who might be attracted to the water. Currently, there are several ways of doing this and most safety experts promote the idea of using "multiple layers of protection".

Supervision.

The first (and I believe the most important) layer is supervision - keeping a watchful eye on your pool and your children. If you have children under the age of 5 you should always keep them within "arm's reach", particularly if there is a pool that the child can easily see from the home.

Fencing.

A second layer is a fence or other barrier that completely surrounds the pool and, hopefully, isolates it from the house. The barrier should be at least 4 ft. high from grade level, with openings no larger than 4 inches. Any gate or door in the barrier should be self-closing and self-latching. It should also open out from the pool so it would close and latch should a small child push against it. It should also be locked anytime the pool area is closed to use. (Never underestimate the climbing ability and ingenuity of a child.)

Pool Cover.

Another layer would be a pool cover, a power cover if possible, which should be either fully open or fully stowed away when not in use. Note that a pool cover should never be the only method making your pool safe.

Pool Alarm.

A further layer of safety is the use of pool alarms. There are commercially available alarms for swimming pools that detect water disturbance or displacement. There are also wrist alarms designed to be worn by small children that activate when exposed to pool water. In 2000 the Consumer Product Safety Commission evaluated swimming pool alarms. (Click Here to read the results of that evaluation.)

There are also battery-operated swimming pool gate alarms that activate whenever the gate (or door) is opened. When set, the alarm will sound even if a child (or anyone else) were to close it after opening. Of course, some models include a "pass-through" feature that can allow an adult to open and close the pool area gate without tripping the alarm.

You can never be too careful. Recently, I heard that a small child got into a backyard pool even though the home's doors were closed and locked. (The child exited through a doggie door.)

Multiple layers of protection are a necessity if you have a backyard pool and you have small children. That being said, remember... NOTHING COMPARES TO KEEPING YOUR YOUNG CHILDREN WITHIN ARM'S REACH WHEN THERE IS A SWIMMING POOL ON THE PREMISES!

Want more information about swimming pool safety barriers? Click here.