Updated May 13, 2024
Do you have your own swimming pool or are you thinking about building one? Then you should consider how you can childproof the pool to protect your own and the neighborhood children from accidental falls. Here are some of the best solutions for effective pool childproofing.
In summer, there is no greater joy for children than swimming and splashing around in the pool. But who?has a small pool in the garden itself, must think about security first. Accidents happen in seconds and you need to secure your pool for every situation, especially when children are swimming in it or playing nearby. We'll go over the most important steps and also give you a checklist at the end of the article that can help you quickly check everything when it comes to pool safety. Get ready for a fun but also safe summer in the garden with a pool!
Teach your children to swim
Usually when we think of swimming we just think of it as a useful skill for children or a way toto have fun in summer. But the truth is that knowing how to swim can save a person's life. According to experts, children who cannot swim are 70% more likely to drown. If you notice the child's disappearance at all, it is very important to check the pool first. For this reason, it is important to take preventive measures and make the pool safe for children.
Appoint someone responsible
No child safety measure can replace the presence of an adult at the pool. Designate an adult who will be solely responsible for supervising children while playing near the water. Of course, this person shouldn't be looking at their cell phone, reading a book or working on their laptop at the same time. If there is more than one adult in the house, establish a duty order at 15 and 30 minute intervals.
You also need to know that drowning in real life is not like it is in the movies. Nobody sprays or calls for help. Children simply sink quickly and quietly to the ground.
Install a child-safe pool fence
It is advisable to secure the pool area in some way, be it a fence or a safety net. Are your children old enough yet? A child lock still makes sense. You never know whether the children from the neighboring summer house will suddenly come to visit or whether your friends will not take their small children with them.
Make your pool childproof: Which pool fence?
Pool fences for child safety come in various shapes and materials, but they must all be at least 1.20 m high (preferably 1.50 m) and cannot be climbed over. The gate should close and lock itself and open in the opposite direction to the swimming pool to prevent children from hitting it and falling into the pool when the latch is not engaged.
The pool fence should be built continuously, e.g. B. made of glass or grating. When it comes to the gate, you should make sure that children cannot climb up it. With pool fences, the pool owner is responsible for ensuring compliance with safety standards. He must carefully examine what can be done in terms of parental controls.
The benefits: The child protection fence does not have to be cleaned up when using the pool and then reinstalled afterwards, as is the case with nets and tarpaulins. Once the fence is erected around the pool, simply enter the gate. Installation usually takes a day.
Disadvantages: The fence can limit the already small yard and patio area around the pool. Pool fences are more suitable for spacious gardens. Some people also find them unattractive because they block the view of the surrounding landscape.
You don't have to compromise on looks when it comes to installing a fence around your pool. For example, glass fences look modern and do not disturb the view of the surrounding landscape.
Make the pool childproof with a safety net/tarpaulin
Nets have come into use in the last 15 years or so and are stretched and secured to hooks around the pool. They require some time to remove and reinstall, so they are more suitable for people who do not use the pool often.
Advantages:They can be installed in a day. Some people find them more attractive because they block less of the view of the surrounding landscape. But they cover up the bright blue pool water.
Disadvantages:Networks are much more time-consuming and labor-intensive. It takes 10-15 minutes to stretch it over the pool, walking around the edge of the pool and bending over 40-50 times to attach another section of net to hooks that screw tightly into the hard surface of the surrounding patio should.
What is the safest way to childproof the pool? There is no general answer to this question. All have advantages and disadvantages. You can't jump over the net or climb through the bottom, so it seems like the safest option. However, if the net is not stretched taut, it is of no use.
Electric pool cover
The easiest, but also the most expensive, way to make a pool child-proof is with automatic pool covers. These covers are custom made and controlled by remote control.
This example shows the automatic cover on a pool in San Francisco. It is attached to the edge of the pool on steel rails and cost an additional $20,000 to the total cost of the pool.
Advantages: This is the simplest children's fall protection device that can be used for the pool. With a simple push of a button you can easily close or open the pool.
Disadvantages: This cover is very expensive. Manufacturing typically takes 4-6 weeks, although installation typically takes no more than a day.
Alarm systems as pool guards
It is recommended that each of the doors leading to the pool area be equipped with an additional alarm. This is particularly useful if theHouse as a fourth wall framing the pool.These alarm systems should have their own distinctive sound that is different from the doorbell, phone, and other signals in your home. This way you will know immediately if someone has gone into the pool.
Don't forget the pet doors either. Curious children can easily escape through these openings, and some areas even have a rule prohibiting the placement of these doors in doorways leading to pool areas.
Another type of alarm is the pool alarm. It monitors the surface of the water and reacts to water movements or waves, so you can immediately see that someone or something has fallen into the water.
Check sealing plug
If you're moving to a home with a pool or considering building your own pool, make sure all drain holes and valves have covers or plugs (you can't put your foot in them and get stuck). The water coming out of the floor drain creates a fairly strong current that can submerge even an adult. So this simple investment in spare parts can be a life saver.
Pool experts also recommend periodically inspecting plugs and caps to ensure they are intact and in place. It's also worth telling children not to swim near or play with these parts.
Check the pool regularly for signs of wear or damage
Experts recommend checking the pool regularly, at least once a year, and hiring a licensed professional to check the condition of all plugs and lights and ensure there is no risk of electric shock.
Since 1990, there have been approximately 60 electrocution accidents and 50 serious injuries in and around pool areas in the United States. Some of these occurred during rescue attempts where the rescuer was unaware of the risk of electric shock. Wet surfaces, such as E.g. the grass or patio around the pool can also cause death by electrocution.
All swimming pool equipment (pumps, filters, cleaning system) as well as lighting, power lines, wiring, sockets, radios, stereo systems, televisions are power sources around swimming pools that should be checked regularly.
Symptoms of a swimming pool electric shock include ringing in the ears, muscle spasms, or inability to move. If you are watching over children swimming in the pool, you can detect an electric shock by noticing panic or agitation in one of the swimmers, immobility in one or more children in the pool, or irregular operation of pool lights, such as lights that flash or turn on when everything should be over.
If you think someone playing in the water is being electrocuted, turn off the power immediately and call an ambulance. The Red Cross also advises using a fiberglass pole to pull people out of the water.
Learn to give first aid
Knowing what to do if you suddenly find a child or adult motionless in the pool can save your life. And while knowing how to administer first aid is a good skill for any person, it's a must for the pool owner. In addition to fences, covers and alarms, this is a good additional effort to protect children at the pool. You never know which of these parental control methods will work until disaster strikes.
Pool safety checklist
General safety measures:
- Pool area surrounded by a child-safe fence (at least 1.20 m high).
- Pool fence cannot be climbed over and is in perfect condition.
- The fence gate closes and locks automatically.
Poolabdeckungen:
- Safety net/tarpaulin is taut and installed correctly.
- Electric pool cover works properly and is fully functional.
- No obvious signs of wear or damage to covers/nets.
Alarm systems:
- Pool area is equipped with a door/window alarm system.
- Pool alarm reliably monitors the water surface and triggers an alarm in the event of irregular water movements.
- All alarm systems are functional and have a clear, distinctive sound.
Plugs and drains:
- All drains and valves have matching child-proof covers.
- Plugs/caps are intact and correctly in place.
Electrical safety:
- All electrical devices (pumps, filters, lighting) are safely installed and regularly checked.
- Sockets and cables are in good condition and protected from moisture.
- Pool lighting works correctly and shows no irregularities.
First aid measures:
- First aid kit is near the pool and fully equipped.
- At least one person in the household has current first aid knowledge.
Supervision:
- A responsible adult always supervises children in and around the pool.
- Adult duty order set at 15-30 minute intervals.
Pool maintenance:
- Pool cleaning chemicals are securely locked away and out of the reach of children.
- Regular pool maintenance ensured.
Additional Notes:
- Explain to children the dangers of the pool area.
- Lock pet doors to pool area.
