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More than 350 children under the age of five drown in swimming pools each year, and another 2,600 are injured according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC, Document #5097). As a result, many municipalities require fences around swimming pools to reduce the risk of swimming pool accidents.
A well-constructed fence with self-latching gates can significantly reduce the chances of children having unrestricted access to a swimming pool.
In addition to a perimeter fence, a fence between a home and the pool is recommended, especially for homeowners with young children.
While all types of fence materials are appropriate for enclosing a swimming pool, some styles may not be. All pool fences should be built to ensure a young child cannot go under or climb over or through the fence. Thus, all fences should be at least 48" above grade, measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the pool, with a maximum clearance of 4" between the bottom of the fence and the ground.
Additionally, if certain styles of fencing, such as post and rail, are specified, they should be modified to prevent children from going in between the rails by applying a mesh behind the rails. |