Pool Saftey

Covers, gates, and life saving vests along with a parent always being with them.... Swim lessons are also a must.

Hi W.,
We have an inground pool and have safety fencing around it. It is a mesh like fencing...they drilled a few holes in the decking around the pool to insert the posts. The gate swings closed and locks automatically and the mesh isn't 'climbable.' They gave us little plastic inserts, close to the color of the decking, to plug the holes with when we want to take the fence down (it is completely removable...we have taken it down for parties and then put it back up again). Having this security precaution was the only way I would agree to buy a home with a pool. When my mother put a pool in her back yard, I begged her to install security...she refused, so I simply didn't let my kids visit her without me, and I watched them like a hawk the whole time. She was upset b/c she wanted them to come for sleepovers, etc., but I would not budge on the issue, so she lost out. She has since moved and no longer has a pool. You have to determine the safety precautions you want for your children and stick to them no matter what. I don't believe Texas has any real laws about private pool safety, so your in-laws cannot be forced to do anything they don't want to do. IMO, you cannot be too cautious around pools with young children. Best of luck!

One if it is an inground pool it is by law supposed to have at least a 4 foot fence around it. If it is an above ground pool I believe it also is supposed to have a fence or in my parent's case they have a chain to keep the stairs up to prevent any kids climbing up onto the deck of the pool. also plain and simple supervising the kids while outside is common sense. Pool cover do not prevent drowning. There really is not anything out there to prevent drowning other than the normal floaties and life jackets. although some pools have hardcovers they can be very expensive. They also can break over time.

So supervision and a good sturdy fence is the best bet for preventing drowning.

Ahhh, pool safety... you are right in wanting to figure this out however, the only things out there to protect your kids from drowning is....YOU!

We have an in ground pool. No fence that goes around it. What works for us is watching our kids at all times while in the backyard. The only other "things" out there to help you are Life jackets and swimming lessons! It is very scary but it gets better as soon as they learn to swim. At least the pool is only at your in-laws and not yours so this is not something you will have to deal with on a daily basis...

There are "gadgets" like the pool alarm and if that gives you a Lil' peace of mind, then go for it but the only thing that gives me peace of mind is having my eyeballs on them.

We grew up with an in-ground pool (4 youngsters) and the rule my parents always stressed is to NEVER go into the pool w/o a buddy system in place. In other words, never swim alone NO MATTER WHAT.
We all learned to swim at a very early age because of the pool being there so once your children learn swimming, I'm sure your worries will decrease greatly.
Hopefully, you'll learn to enjoy the pool because once you do, your children will too. In other words, if you show fear of the pool, that may transfer to your children which could possibly make it difficult for them to learn to swim/enjoy the pool.
Hope this helps,
Jen

YOU and your HUSBAND are the best way to keep your children safe around the pool.

Physically they should have locks located high on the doors, leading to ALL back doors. A fence with bars built close enough that the kids cannot squeeze through. A keyed lock on the fence. Keep all lawn furniture and climbing play items far from the fence.This way the kids will not use them as a ladder to get over the fence.

Contact your insurance company. They can send you a list of the required safety items that are required by law as well as suggested items to keep your kids safe.

Do not leave them alone even for a second near or in the pool. I know this sounds like something you would never do, but it only takes one time. Every summer I read about these really careful parents that "ran in for a second to take food out of the oven, get their phone,or grab something" and it all ended in tragedy.

Pools are a ton of fun and a great way for the kids to get exercise. Make a list of rules for everyone and follow them all of the time.

You can buy a "pool alarm" that floats on the water and if anything (God forbid--a child) falls into the pool and makes waves on the surface, an alarm will sound. Is there a childproof lockable gate to access the pool area? That would be great.
We rented a beach house with a pool O. year when my son was about 4, and we were HYPER vigilant even though it was gated, etc. never can be too careful.

Fence is a good option. If they don't want a fence have them look into getting a net that goes over the pool. I think it is called catch a kid or something like that. My parents have one. It clips into the ground (latches are screwed/cemented in around the pool) and pull tight. It is off of the pool and a kid can crawl across it and it would hold their weight. I hope I explained that right. It has to be professionally installed but, unlike a fence, doesn't block views.

Also, look into water survival training - www.infantswim.com

The best thing besides vigilant watching is a fence with a locked gate & a pool cover that mounts to the ground (this will not keep the children from drowning). I have a 4 y/o that quietly excapes from our house, so maybe they should also have additional locks put on the doors that are too high for the kids to reach (if they like to excape).
I wouldn't use the pool alarms as the batteries could fail at the time a child falls in, a bird could set it off & drive them crazy or your in laws may not hear the alarm going off.
Swimming lessons are a great idea if you kids are old enough.

God bless!

There are steps you can take to keep the child safe such as "floaties" for their arms on younger children. Older children should be taught basic safety along with swimming lessons (such as "no horse play" etc). To keep a child out of a pool without supervision there are gate locks, and alarms that can be installed which activate any time the water is "disturbed" just in case they do get into the pool area without adults knowing it.

Making sure you are watching your child at all times is the best way to ensure there are no mishaps. For your peace of mind, though, you might want to consider something like a Katchakid: http://www.katchakid.com/pool-safety-nets.htm?gclid=CNaHw...

Hope this helps!

This is such a great question. My in-laws had a pool when my kids were little as well. They did not have a security fence around it. We watched the kids like a hawk and locked the doors when we came inside. Also, my kids went to swimming lessons. I wanted them to understand how to get out if they fell in. Both were very cautious around the pool and it really was a non issue. Good luck!

UHHHH, watch the children. If they spend a lot of time over there then maybe you can convince them to baby proof the pool by putting a small fence around it.