The incidence of accidental death by drowning is on the decline in Australia. Thankfully this is due to stricter regulations regarding pool safety and increased awareness by the public.
According to the Keep Watch program, there are four key drowning prevention actions. They recommend these actions be combined with each other for a comprehensive strategy. If one line of defence fails, the other measures are still working to prevent your child from drowning.
These measures are 1) Supervision 2) Restricted Access 3) Water Awareness and 4) Resuscitation.
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Pool Fences
A sturdy permanent pool fence is the first line of defence when it comes to keeping a pool area safe. Pool fences prevent children, animals, and even adults from entering the pool area without permission. Many pool fences include self-closing and self-latching gates, which prevent accidentally leaving the gate open or unlatched.
A pool fence is required by state law. A properly installed and maintained pool fence can greatly reduce the risk of drowning incidents and provide protection for your loved ones.
Modern pool fences come in many different styles, materials, and shapes. They can be tailored to fit any backyard.
Glass pool fencing is an idea that started in Australia where pool fence laws are stricter than in many other countries. Glass pool fencing can be used for separating the pool from the house on one or two sides. It is very popular in luxury homes, not only for its aesthetic appeal but for preserving a beautiful view.
Another popular fencing material is mesh. These fences have the advantage of being relatively low-cost with minimal installation. They can be removed to accommodate parties or when the makeup of the household changes. Their disadvantage is that over time they can become an unsightly mess. Improperly installed posts lose their tension allowing the fence to sag. They can also be cut or damaged by sharp objects.
Other less popular fencing materials for pools include aluminium, wood and vinyl.
Pool Covers
Pool covers not only secure your pool but also prevent leaves and other debris from collecting in the pool. Pool covers can help maintain the pH level of your pool by preventing UV degradation.
Safety covers come in different types and styles. They are often used to “close down” or winterize a pool. They are usually put on when the pool season has ended, and taken off again when the weather warms up and you want to start enjoying the pool again.
You can find mesh pool covers, solid pool covers and automated pool covers. Automated covers have the advantage of opening and closing in minutes at the press of a button. Their drawback is price.
Other Pool Safety Equipment
Other devices contribute to pool safety. These include pool alarms, pool security cameras and water rescue equipment.
It makes sense to invest in essential pool safety equipment to create a secure environment and prevent accidents. It only takes a moment for a child or an animal to slip undetected into the backyard and have an unfortunate accident with the family pool.
