Adding a child proof system to your pool is one of the best measures to take for your child’s safety. Although a pool is a great accessory to have in your home it can be a hazard to small children, especially to those who have not learned how to swim. There are methods available to enhance the safety of children around the swimming pool. If you have a small child in your home then one of these child safety options for pools may be right for your home.
Pool Safety Covers
There are safety covers available for pools and spas. It is positioned over the surface of the pool or spa and prevents children from getting in to the water. Installing a safety cover properly is just as important as having one. When installed properly, it provides a great amount of security to children under five years old. Pool safety covers are usually either manual or motor-powered and generally spa covers require manual operation.
Choosing a Safety Cover
There are features that are recommended for you to keep in mind when choosing a safety cover. The cover should be strong enough to hold the weight of two adults and one child if someone falls onto the cover and needs to be removed. If there is an emergency the cover should be easy to take off. Safety performance requirements of power and other safety covers should conform to the specifications in ASTM F 1346-91. Always remember to remove all ladders and slides when using covers on pools.
Outdoor Swimming Pool Barrier
A good barrier encircles the pool and blocks children from climbing over, crawling under, or going through it to get to the pool or spa. A barrier is usually a fence, wall, or gate designed so that only adults will be able to pass through it.
Pool Safety Using Gates, Walls, or Fences
If you use a gate to child proof a pool it should be secure enough that if a child pushes the gate, the latch may become more firm. The release of the gate should be at least three inches below the top part of the gate on the side which faces the pool. To prevent a child from reaching through the gate and opening the latch, no openings should be more than one-half of an inch, within 18 inches of the latch release.
The clearance at the bottom barrier should be no more than four inches above grade. When using a diamond-shaped chain link fence, openings should be no bigger than 1.75 inches. Fences should be no less than four feet high, having no place for children to place their hands or feet to climb, and vertical slats should be no more than four inches apart. It is recommended to use a barrier and steps or ladders that can be secured, locked or removed for above ground pools.
Alarms and Pool Safety
Alarms can be used in residential and public settings to alert adults when children enter a pool or spa area. They can be placed on doors, windows, pools, and spas. Pool, spa floating, or wave alarms are placed on the edge of the pool and activate when the water shifts. Gate alarms are placed on the pool or spa gate and activate when the gate is opened. When the house serves as the fourth wall of the pool’s perimeter the door alarm is activated each time the house door is opened. Windows alarms are like door alarms and activate when to window is opened. These types of alarms make an audible sound when triggered.
Alarm Safety Recommendations
If you choose an alarm as a child safety system it should meet the standards of UL 2017 General-Purpose Signaling Devices and Systems. The sound should be at least 85 dBA (decibels) when standing 10 feet away from the alarm. Other important safety features include a 15 second deactivation switch, a distinct sound, and sound 30 seconds or longer, no more than seven seconds after activation.
If you have not yet found the proper child safety or child proof system for your pool, maybe one of these options is the right choice for your home. There are no words to express how imperative it is to make sure our precious little ones have a safe environment to dwell in. Choose the right child safety equipment for your pool and give your child a safer home.
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