Pool Fence Objectives - A Practical Guide

All four sides of the pool should be completely enclosed with no more than a 2 inch gap. Enclosing patios while leaving other access points such as gates creates a false sense of security. The only sure proof solution is to enclose the entire pool with the pool safety fence.

A minimum height of four feet is recommended by the American Association of Pediatrics and every drowning prevention committee in the United States, as well as required for all foster home and in-home daycare facilities. This also applies to elderly care.

A self-closing, self-latching and key lockable gate is mandatory. This will ensure that no opportunity for an accidental opening to present itself. A self closing gate gives parents an extra level of comfort when children are in the care of relatives, baby sitters and care givers.

Not all swimming pool fences are created equal by design. For example, wrought iron is rigid and climbable. Chain link also enables footholds and leverage. There is one and only one type of fence to protect your children from pool accidents. It must be a pool safety fence with woven mesh and aluminum poles. By its design there are no finger holds, foot holds or any possible way for a child to climb the fence.

Children are our future – let’s give them every chance we can.

Andy Hines
Pool Guard of Dallas

Pool Fences in Puerto Rico

Given the high number of swimming pools and the low number of pool fences and pool nets on the island of Puerto Rico, Pool Guard of Puerto Rico has received quite a warm welcome in just a few short months. We have spoken with several pool builders and they are welcoming us with open arms. "The quality of construction of pool fence materials and the independent free-standing gate are a welcomed advancement in pool safety fences here on the island" noted pool builder Josue Troche. The solid construction combined with a more than competitive price will certainly put Pool Guard of Puerto Rico at the front of the pack in a very short amount of time!

Submitted by
Marisela Montes
POOL GUARD OF PUERTO RICO

Another Line Of Defense For Your Pool

The kids are splashing and playing in the pool and the adults are busy seeing to it that everyone is safe. We notice this time of year that many folks have “flown the coop” for vacations and such.

We had a situation where a nearby home with a pool was vacated for a time. The pool is screened in and one of the kids wandered away to do some “kid research”. Curious about all that was out of his “regular world”, he proceeded to find a way right through the screening. Now, mind you, a properly built screen room meets the building code when it comes to the state requirements. That didn’t help this young man.

The little guy went missing for only a moment when the adults began a frantic search for him. They called for him. They ran around the backyard and into neighboring yards to find their “little lost lamb”. Well, they found him and they weren’t very happy when they saw where this little guy ended up.

He was in this screened in pool area pushing a chair up to the FENCE that SURROUNDS the pool at this part time residence. I said “SURROUNDS” the pool because many times customers don’t surround the pool with fencing. Sometimes it’s just not feasible to fence the entire the pool. In this instance, it was really not very feasible, but everyone involved is very glad this homeowner took the best way out.

The little boy was red faced as he got caught exploring this new world. He got a little scolding for going out of bounds. And he got a great big hug from his parents because he was safe and not as they might have imagined him in the two minutes that seemed like an eternity to them. He’s healthy, he’s safe and an accident was prevented by this silly little thing called a pool fence. This fence was installed before the state required it to be so. This homeowner doesn’t yet know about the lifesaving effects of their decision, but they soon will. And every time they see their little neighbor smile, when he goes off to school, gets married and has a family of his own, these folks will remember that one smart decision helped change an awful lot of lives that day.

And thanks to all of you Pool Guard distributors, for doing what you guys do. You DO make a difference.

An Ounce Of Prevention - Swimming Pool Fences

This is the story of a friend of mine, whose child drowned a few years ago after his birthday party. The parents had finished the party and locked the doors, which were also equipped with alarms. The child's aunt went outside to cook a hamburger on the barbeque. She opened the doors, disarmed the alarms and began to barbeque. She forgot to close the door when she went inside and the child went outside to the swimming pool and fell in. Fortunately, he was able to be revived and today shows no signs of permanent brain damage; however he went through months of intensive therapy. Years later the aunt continues to see a psychologist and continues in therapy because she feels responsible for the accident. This is a near drowning which easily could have been avoided by the homeowner installing a swimming pool safety fence around the swimming pool. A pool fence would have prevented the baby from accidentally falling into the water. Nothing prevents accidents like a swimming pool barrier.

From Ana Hernandez, Pool Guard of Miami/Dade:

Two months ago we installed a swimming pool fence at the home of a critical care nurse for Miami Childrens Hospital in Dade County, Florida. She told me, and I was surprised to learn, that every week, and more often in the summer, at least one child in Dade County, Florida is admitted to the trauma center at Miami Childrens Hospital due to either a drowning or a near drowning. Many of these cases are reported by the news services. Miami is a swimming pool prevalent area and a swimming pool barrier fence would prevent so many of these tragic drownings and near drownings. This critical care nurse told me that she would never consider moving into her new home without Pool Guard installing a pool safety fence at her swimming pool.

Why Buying A Pool Fence is Smart - Real Life Story

The other day I was talking to a customer about a fence, and we went outside to measure it. Myself, the mother, and her 3 year old daughter were outside by the pool. As we were looking at the brochure (maybe a minute or so ) we heard a splash. Her daughter had walked away from her side around the pool and fell in. I rushed around the pool to reach down and grab her daughter's arm as she was slowly sinking back first in the pool. I was able to pull her out and she was scared, but fine. This was the first time I had experienced anything like this, but it showed me how quick a possible tragedy can happen. After seeing this, it made me feel even more proud of the service we offer our customers. On a lighter note, about twenty minutes later her husband came home. He walked out and asked what we were doing. She quickly replied, “buying a pool safety fence!”

Chuck Bryan
Pool Guard of the Panhandle

Childproofing Your Home

Childproofing your house does not have to be a major event, a quick walk or crawl through your home can open your eyes to the dangers your child will face every day. Look at the task of Child Proofing your home - at their level. Get down on your hands and knees and see things the way they do.

When I walk into a customer’s home I start right in the foyer and take a look at the stair case and the banister. I always recommend a permanently mounted gate at the top of stairs to prevent falls. I check the spacing between banister slats and suggest Plexiglas if there is a risk of the child falling through or using the slats to climb. Some clients choose to gate the bottom of the stairs or close off the foir area at other access points instead. While in this area I look for tall or top heavy pieces of furniture that should be secured to avoid being tipped, Suggest locks on closets and throwing away dry cleaning bags, I also suggest locks on basement and exterior doors and suggest outlet/cord protection devices where needed.

With so much outdoor living these days I like to take a look at the deck and suggest gates at the steps and make sure the slat spacing is safe. Some parents may want to consider a soft mat for children to crawl on instead of wood or concrete decks. If a pool is involved parents should be aware that this is a major safety concern and have appropriate layers of protection in place. I suggest alarms on all doors from the house to the pool area, A swimming pool safety fence that surrounds the pool that has a self closing / self latching gate and things like always being able to see the pool from the house, keeping a cordless phone near the pool to call for help and so you don’t have to leave the pool area to answer the phone. Parents should also take a CPR class and be sure to check the pool first if in doubt.

Pool Safety Fence Research

DON’T TAKE SOMEONE ELSES WORD FOR IT….RESEARCH YOURSELF

It only takes a moment and a few inches of water to create a deadly combination, a child could drown. Don’t have a swimming pool? A pool fence should also enclose the area around a hot tub or outdoor spa area as well.

Before deciding which pool contractor to use we suggest: Call the Better Business Bureau in your area to see if there are any adverse comments or issues with the company, ask the company for references, photos if at all possible with permission to contact the consumers they have done work for and an opportunity to see first hand the company’s most recent work.

Interview different swimming pool fence contractors and gauge which one you are most comfortable with. Whose work seems to stand out among the rest? Who provided you with the best overall information and services? Are their swimming pool fencing products guaranteed? Which fencing company is providing you the best prices to meet your needs?