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Safety Pool Fences: Protect Your Children and Pets

A swimming pool in your own backyard provides hours of fun and entertainment for your family.  But keeping your children and pets safe and protected from accidental drowning is vital.  Swimming pool fences that completely surround the swimming pool and prevent access to the pool are key to providing this security.

 

Drowning is the second leading cause of death in children 1 – 14 years old.  So it makes sense that a safety pool fence is required by law in many parts of the US since it prevents children and pets from gaining access to your pool.  But even if it isn’t required in your area, it is still a necessity to surround your pool with one.  A pool fence will protect your liability and help you to sleep better at night knowing that your family is protected.

 

Pets are another reason to have a pool fence barrier installed.  Even pets that can swim may not be able to find their way out of the pool once they are in it.  And many pool owners prefer keeping pets out of the pool to keep it clean.

 

When choosing a pool fence, there are important factors to keep in mind.  There are different types of swimming pool fences available.  These include metal, mesh, wood and plastic.  Metal is reliable, but it can block the view of your pool.  Wood fences are attractive, but they may need to be painted or repaired every few years.  Plastic fences are more likely to split and break than wood or metal.  Mesh fences are removable and quite popular.  And although they are lightweight, removable mesh pool safety fences are sturdy and strong to provide the secure barrier you need.  They are also more transparent than other fences.  This provides clearer views of your pool and landscaping.

 

Height of your pool fence is another important consideration.  Your fence should be at least 4 feet tall to prevent children from climbing over and pets from jumping over.

 

Pool gates are also important.  Be sure to choose a self-closing, self-latching gate that is key lockable so that children cannot open the gate to get to the pool.  Also, make sure that the release mechanism is located on the pool side of the gate.

 

To ensure you have a safe and reliable pool fence barrier, have a licensed and insured professional pool fence installer put up your fence.  Professional installers have the knowledge and experience to ensure you end up with a strong and safe barrier that will prevent your child or pet from accidental drowning.

 

Why take chances?  Protect your children and pets with a swimming pool safety fence.  You will sleep much better at night knowing that your family is safe and secure.

Robert Caruso, author, general contractor, property manager, & swimming pool safety fence installer in the San Diego and North County, CA area.

Advises and educates on the construction process & home maintenance, making homes a safer place for children and pets.

Visit his swimming pool safety fence website at:

http://www.poolfencesofnorthcounty.com

robertcaruso@cox.net

Ph: 760/310-9148, 800/403-1010

Technorati Tags: Child Safety, children, Fences, Pets, Pool, Protect

Can You Use A Pet Gate Around Children And Pets?

Pet gates serve a multitude of needs. Probably the most important reason people look to purchase a pet gate is for containing a pet in an area where they won’t do any harm to themselves or destroy what’s in the room.

The first and most common question people have is whether or not the gate they want to buy is ok to use around children as well. It’s a great question and the answer can help you determine which gate in fact you should buy.

When gates are designed just for pets or just to use around children the criteria are different. However, over the last 30+ years manufacturers have found that designing their gates for a multi-use situation has been the better choice. So, today most gates on the market can be used in either circumstance.

There are things to look for though to make sure the gate you buy in fact meets these requirements. Free standing gates are not child-use certified. They are made such that there are no attachments made to walls or doorways and a child under the right circumstances could topple the gate.

You need to look for gates that carry one of the following certifications. The first is known as a JPMA certified gate. This stands for “Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association”. This independent organization certifies the companies that manufacture and sell JPMA registered products. They also audit them to make sure they follow the standards and procedures for their operation, test the products in an independent lab as required and submit to random testing during the year.

The second certification a gate may have is the ASTM stamp. (ASTM F1004-07) ASTM International (formerly known as American Society for Testing and Materials) is the organization in conjunction with the JPMA and manufacturers that develop and implement the standards. So if the gate has either certification they may be used around children.

As tempting as it may be, even using some of the old gates you may have around from earlier years from your Mom and Dad might not be the way to go. It doesn’t matter if you’re using it for a pet or a child. The old finishes and designs can cause more harm than good.

Back in the day, the old accordion type gate was about the only type gate any of us used. But that style, materials they used to make it and whether or not it’s sturdy enough really need to be taken into account. Its not that safety wasn’t important back then, but it was the best we had using the information we knew.

The old gates also don’t have good latching and locking mechanisms to keep the children safe and secure. I don’t think pinch points were ever a concern and certainly they had limited stability. They are also known to cause both pets and children to get caught in the “v” and several cases of strangulation have been reported.

So make an educated purchase by reading and understanding all that the industry has to offer today. There are over a dozen styles to choose from. Gates can be used for both pets and children and nowadays look great. So select a style and location and you’ll be on your way. Good Luck.

Joe is an on-line author and internet affiliate marketer/engineer. He’s been involved with sports for many years and includes a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. He has also raised 6 cats, 8 dogs and countless birds. With his background he has written articles to share this information and experiences developed over the years.

The Pet Gate Shop showcases 14 styles and manufacturers of Pet Gates and Pet Gate related products. Get information, a glossary of pet gate terms, product features, articles and safety facts you need to make an informed decision. Thanks for reading!

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Technorati Tags: Around, children, Gate, Pets

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