Keep Your Family Safe With a Pool Fence

A beautiful residential fence is a great way to add value to your home and property. But a new fence does more than look good – it boosts the safety of your family and guests. If you have a pool or are considering installing one, it’s imperative that a fencing system is a part of that plan. In many communities, it is required to fence in a pool.

This is for safety. Accidental drownings can and do happen. Fences keep kids, pets and others out of your pool area when unsupervised. Sadly, 10 people die every day from unintentional drowning; of those, two are children under the age of 14, according to the CDC. Drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury death in this country.

It’s recommended that pool owners install a four-sided fence with a self-closing and latching gate in any area where pools or spas are located. The fence should completely surround the body of water and be locked when not in use. It should be made of a sturdy material and feature a latch placed high up out of the reach of kids and pets. A heavy duty lock should also be incorporated to prevent the gate from opening and closing with just a push. Your community may also have a height requirement for fences.

Even with a fence, it’s important to supervise children at all times. Kids are curious and find ways around most anything. Make sure your kids know how to swim before installing a pool, teach them all about pool safety and learn CPR yourself.

Types of Pool Fencing

Aluminum is one of the best choices for a pool fence material, as it is strong, comes in many colors and is easy to customize. It also adds a beautiful element to your property that is timeless and long-lasting. To make it even more aesthetically appealing, you can add ornamental options.

Iron fencing is also an excellent choice. Iron is heavy and durable, with the ability to last a long time. It does take some maintenance over time, as exposure to sun and rain can cause rusting.

While an affordable option, chain link is not considered the safest for pool areas, because it can be scaled by small animals and children.

Vinyl is a sturdy and weather resistant choice. You may want to install a slatted version rather than a solid panel design so your view of the pool is not obstructed. Of course your goal is to contain the danger and add privacy, but you should also be able to see the pool from other areas of the yard or home in the event all your safety measures fail, such as when your child or pet slips into the area.

Making sure your backyard is safe for all occupants can be achieved with the proper pool fencing.

Contact Alamo Decks and Fence

If safety is at the top of your priority list as you plan your swimming pool project, contact us at 210-794-0875 for a free quote on high-quality, safe and durable fencing.