According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, a successful pool barrier prevents a child from getting over, under or through and keeps a child from gaining access to the pool except when supervising adults are present. If you’ve yet to install a fence around the pool area, think about adding this extra safety precaution.
The CPSC recommends the following guidelines be followed when incorporating safety fencing:
- The top of a pool barrier be at least 48 inches above grade, measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the pool.
- If the fence features vertical slats, the spacing should not exceed 1 and ¾ inches.
- If using a chain link fence, the mesh size should not exceed 1 and ¼ inches square.
For more information about safety barriers, visit www.poolsafely.gov.
To see fencing and safety barriers in our Outdoor Accessories gallery, click here.
