With those criteria in mind, our picks for the best pool alarms are the PoolGuard PGRM-2 Alarm (Inground) or the PoolEye Immersion Alarm (Above Ground). Because these two alarms are immersable, they’re more reliable at sensing disturbances in your water and they’re less likely to trigger false alarms.

However, if you have smaller pets (under 15 pounds) or you want a portable alarm for a smaller pool or hot tub, the Pool Patrol PA-30 Alarm (Floating) is a better option.

For more information about how these alarms work and what features to look for, you can watch the quick video tutorial below. Or keep reading for our complete guide to alarms for pools and our recommendations.

FYI: We’re a small team of pool industry experts and researchers that care about recommending quality, reliable pool products. If you choose to click a link and buy any of the products we recommend, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The Best Alarm for Inground Pools

Our Top Pick

PoolGuard In-Ground Pool Alarm

Installed at the edge of your pool, this battery-powered alarm is tamper-proof and simple to operate. It's equipped with an in-house remote receiver to help alert you both at the pool and in your home.

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The PoolGuard PGRM-2 Inground Alarm is completely tamper-proof and simple to use. Installed at the edge of your pool with a submersible arm, the PoolGuard reliably detects anything entering your water that’s 18 pounds and greater. It can also help detect slow entry into the water if your pool has beach entry.

With an in-house remote receiver, this alarm will sound both at the swimming pool and in your home, giving you peace of mind that you’ll be notified of any disturbances.

It runs on a 9V battery, making it simple to set up. And it’s perfect for larger inground pools (up to 20 feet by 40 feet). This alarm also meets ASTM standards for swimming pool alarms.

Be mindful that this is a permanent installation made for larger pools and only designed for detecting objects 18 pounds and greater.

The Best Alarm for Above Ground Pools

Our Top Pick

PoolEye Above Ground Pool Immersion Alarm

This pool alarm is perfect for smaller pools and very easy to install. With an adjustable sensitivity switch and sub-surface wave detection, you'll have fewer false alarms from rain or wind while still keeping your family safe.

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The PoolEye Above Ground Pool Alarm is perfect for 24-foot or smaller pools and extremely easy to install. Its underwater motion sensor uses subsurface wave detection, so it won’t trigger false alarms from rain or wind. However, this alarm is reliable and sensitive when it needs to be. It’s triggered when it detects an object as light as 15 pounds, which makes it a safer option for smaller pets and or animals. And the adjustable sensitivity switch allows you to customize your alarm’s responsiveness.

The PoolEye alarm is battery-powered and installs under the top ledge or railing of your pool. While it emits a loud, high-pitched siren sound at the pool, it does not come with an in-house receiver. So remember to check your local pool safety codes before you buy. Like all the alarms on our list, this alarm does meet ASTM standards.

Do Pool Alarms Really Work?

Yes, they do. But certain types of alarms are more effective and reliable than others. While pool alarms are an important tool to keep your pool safe, you’ll also want to consider adding other layers of protection and detection, like a gate alarm.

Pool alarms use sensors in the water to detect when something like a child or pet unexpectedly enters your pool. A floating pool alarm detects ripples and motion on your pool’s surface. Other alarms are immersed underwater where they detect motion or water that’s been displaced because something has gotten in your pool.

Why Should You Install an Alarm For Your Pool?

Most of the hundreds of pool-related accidents and drownings that happen each year could have been prevented with the right safety precautions. And in some states, alarm systems for pools are actually required by law.

Before you buy an alarm, be sure to check your local codes and the federal pool safety guidelines so you’re in compliance with the laws where you live.

What’s the Best Type of Pool Alarm?

There are two types of pool alarms to choose from: subsurface alarms (underwater) and surface wave alarms (floating). Threshold alarms, like door and gate alarms, help protect the enclosure around your pool.

Each type of alarm works a little differently, and they can be used in tandem to make your pool even safer:

• Floating surface wave alarms float on the surface of your pool and measure water disturbances, like ripples, waves, or water displacement. When it detects a disturbance, an alarm will sound and alert you to possible danger. Because they float, they’re easy to set up, portable, and work in inflatable pools. However, they’re more susceptible to trigger false alarms and a single floating alarm won’t cover a larger pool.
• Subsurface alarms connect to your pool’s edge or railing where it’s immersed underwater. This alarm senses disturbances in water displacement and can even detect shallow beach entry. A subsurface or immersion pool alarm is more consistent and reliable than a surface alarm, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. However, it’s a permanent installation in your pool and most models only detect objects that are 15-18 pounds or greater.
• Threshold alarms, like a door alarm or a gate alarm, alert you when someone has entered the pool area. These alarms help keep your pool enclosure protected and the area around your pool safe from unexpected entry.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, subsurface sensor alarms are the most effective. Compared to surface wave sensor alarms, subsurface alarms are more reliable and less likely to trigger false alarms.

That’s why we recommend using a subsurface alarm and a threshold alarm together for a more complete alarm system. This combination will alert you if anything has gotten into your pool enclosure (threshold alarm) OR if anything significant has fallen into the water (subsurface alarm).

A surface wave alarm is still a great option, especially if you have animals under 15 pounds or an inflatable pool or hot tub. These sensitive alarms are better for smaller pools but they may be triggered by wind, rain, or moving water near your skimmer.

The Best Subsurface Sensor Alarms

One of the most effective and reliable types of pool alarms, subsurface sensors are permanent installations in your pool. Once installed, the sensing arm extends down into the water and constantly monitors for water disturbances.

Our Top Pick

PoolGuard In-Ground Pool Alarm

Installed at the edge of your pool, this battery-powered alarm is tamper-proof and simple to operate. It's equipped with an in-house remote receiver to help alert you both at the pool and in your home.

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This sleek-looking PoolGuard PGRM-2 Inground Pool Alarm comes with an in-house remote receiver. You’ll need to drill a small hole in your pool deck for installation. Then the alarm sits on the edge of your pool, partly submerged in the water. If it detects any disturbances, the alarm will sound at the pool and through the in-house receiver.

When the sensing arm is in the water, the alarm is always active. So whenever you want to use your pool, simply set the alarm to sleep mode and remove the sensing arm from the water. As soon as you put it back into your pool, it’s activated, eliminating the possibility of forgetting to turn it back on. It also meets ASTM standards.

Our Top Pick

PoolEye Above Ground Pool Immersion Alarm

This pool alarm is perfect for smaller pools and very easy to install. With an adjustable sensitivity switch and sub-surface wave detection, you'll have fewer false alarms from rain or wind while still keeping your family safe.

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If you have an above ground pool, the PoolEye Above Ground Pool Alarm is a great option that requires no drilling. Simply remove a section of your rail to install the sensor. Then slip it right back on. It’s rated for 24-foot or smaller pools and is ASTM certified.

One downfall: the PoolEye does not come with a remote receiver of any kind, so it only emits an alarm at the pool. It’s a very loud 85-decibel siren, but remember to check your local code requirements in case you need an alarm with an in-house receiver.

The Best Threshold Alarms

These alarms are installed anywhere a person could gain access to your pool, such as a sliding glass pool door, windows, or gates. Threshold alarms alert you when anyone (or anything) enters your pool area unexpectedly — and before they’re near the pool water.

iSmartAlarm Contact Sensor

This alarm is perfect for doors and windows around your pool enclosure. The wireless system allows you to monitor your security system directly from your smartphone.

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The iSmartAlarm Contact Sensor uses wireless contact sensors that can be placed on doors and windows that open to your pool area. If anyone opens the door or window, the connection between the sensors is broken, and an alarm goes off.

Because it’s part of a home security solution, you can add other components, such as motion detectors and cameras. It also lets you monitor for intrusions from your smartphone.

PoolGuard Outdoor Pool Gate Alarm

Made for any gate, outside door, or screen, this alarm protects access to your pool. The alarm automatically resets and is always on, preventing anyone from accidentally leaving your gate open for children or pets to wander to your pool.

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Another option is a gate alarm like PoolGuard GAPT-2. This can be installed on gates and screens where other alarms might not work.

Once the gate has been open for a few seconds, the alarm will sound. Pressing the pass-through button will turn off the alarm so adults can easily come and go without tripping it every time. Because this is a simple matter of pushing a button, it’s imperative to install the alarm control unit out of children’s reach.

By the way, if you’re feeling frustrated by never-ending pool problems, check out our pool maintenance video course today.

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The Best Surface Wave Sensor Alarm

If you need an alarm for a smaller pool or you have smaller animals that might get into your water, a surface wave sensor alarm is the next best option.

Surface wave sensors work by floating on your pool’s surface and measuring any disturbance of the water. They’re more effective in smaller pools and hot tubs. And because it’s portable, it’s useful if you’re traveling with kids and use someone’s pool who doesn’t have an alarm or pool cover.

Pool Patrol Pool Alarm

This floating alarm is portable and easy to install, with an adjustable sensitivity sensor. And the in-house remote receiver will alert you to potential danger both at the pool and in your home.

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The Pool Patrol alarm floats like a floating chlorine dispenser, making it extremely easy to “install” in your pool. It also features a remote receiver that works 200 feet away, so the alarm will sound through the in-house receiver and poolside.

You can adjust the sensitivity of the sensing ring so it will only react to disturbances the size of a small animal or child but not, say, a breeze. And this alarm meets ASTM standards. Just remember that compared to subsurface alarms, surface wave sensor alarms like this one are more likely to trigger false alarms (according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission).

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Pool Alarm?

Most units cost between $100 and $200. With the right tools on hand, you can install a pool alarm system yourself. But just be aware that some types of alarms, like subsurface alarms, require power tools to screw in and properly mount the device.

Regardless of the cost, they’re worth the peace of mind knowing your children and pets are safe. Here’s a recap of the alarms we recommend:

• PoolGuard In-Ground Alarm
• PoolEye Above Ground Alarm

Need More Pool Maintenance Help?

• Download our free Pool Care Cheat Sheet. It’s a free, easy-to-use guide to help you keep track of taking care of your pool.
• Subscribe to our Swim University YouTube Channel. We publish free video tutorials throughout the pool season.
• Check out our Pool Care Course. You’ll get 30+ step-by-step videos and a step-by-step downloadable guide with everything you need to know about pool maintenance.

The post The Best Pool Alarms To Keep Kids Safe appeared first on Swim University®.

When you’re shopping for automatic pool covers, a little knowledge goes a long way. Arming yourself with a basic understanding of what they are, how they work, and their pros and cons compared to other kinds of pool covers will also help you get the best deal.

The Basics of Automatic Pool Covers

Depending on where you live, you might have already installed a fence around your pool for safety and compliance with local laws. You can think of an automatic pool cover as a horizontal fence, without the need for barbed wire or the risk of Tom Sawyer showing up, whitewash in hand.

You’ll get the benefits of a sturdy pool safety cover, along with remote-control convenience.

Anatomy of an Automatic Pool Cover

Like a flagpole, a crane, or the rigging on a sailboat, automatic pool covers rely on the simple machines we call pulleys to work. The cover uses two reels and a set of tracks, along with rope or cables and a small motor, to work its magic.

Automatic pool covers have a large reel at one end, used to roll the thick vinyl cover back when you want to open the pool. At the other end, you’ll find a smaller reel, housing the rope or cables. And along the edges of the pool, you’ll see a pair of straight tracks connecting the two reels. The rope or cables run through these tracks.

When you open the cover, the smaller reel unwinds, and the cover reel winds, pulling the cover back. When you cover the pool, the process works in reverse, and the rope reel winds, pulling the cover across the pool.

The “automatic” bit in this process is the motor, which turns the reels for you when you push a button. Sure beats cranking away like Igor in Dr. Frankenstein’s lab, right?

Covering the Aesthetic Bases

You’ll have several options when installing an automatic pool cover, depending on your setup, goals, and budget. While technically, you could install the system yourself, it does take quite a bit of knowledge of electronics and some skill to properly ensconce it in the edge of your pool. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, you can always hire a pro. In fact, we recommend it.

Find a contractor with experience installing automatic pool covers. They can install the reel system and tracks in plain sight, camouflage it as part of your deck, or conceal it completely by squirreling away everything but the cover itself underneath the deck or coping. The best part is, you’ll be able to rest easy that everything will look good and work properly.

Pros and Cons of Automatic Pool Covers

In our society, we’ve come to rely on automation in countless ways, making our lives easier with everything from self-checkout to automatic Netflix logins (we haven’t been able to remember our password since 2016).

But as anyone who’s ever heard the phrase, “Please put item in bagging area” while staring at their bagged item can tell you, automation comes with rewards and challenges.

The Good

Beyond the cool factor of watching your pool cover slide back like the entrance to a supervillain’s lair, automatic pool covers come with some hefty benefits.

Better Safety: These sturdy covers are excellent at keeping debris, contaminants, and people out, and water and heat in. The heavy vinyl construction can support a moderate amount of weight and helps prevent accidents.

All pool safety covers are required to support at least 485 pounds (the weight of two average adults and a child) per 5 square feet per a safety standard set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

Pair your cover with a pool cover pump, and you can prevent unwanted water build-up and maximize safety.

Our Top Pick

WAYNE Automatic Pool Cover Pump (1/4 HP)

$182.33

Set it and forget it! The built-in iSwitch technology turns the pump on and off by sensing the presence of water and includes automatic freeze protection to prevent damage during the winter.

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01/27/2023 11:38 pm GMT

Cutting Your Losses: Your pool loses most of its heat to the open air. Automatic pool covers can also trap heat and keeping your pool water warmer, longer.

You’ll get the heat and anti-evaporation benefits while also reducing your need for sanitizer and chemical tweaks to keep your water balanced.

A Cleaner Pool with Less Effort: Hate skimming? Good news. These bad boys keep the leaves and other wind-blown debris that might otherwise ruin your sunny afternoon out of the water, saving you time and effort better spent on watching Sharknado for the tenth time.

Our Top Pick

Heavy Duty Pool Leaf Net

It's a deep and durable leaf net pool skimmer that can collect a lot of debris all in one skimming. It also includes a lifetime guarantee. This is what the pros use!

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Reducing Rain Pains: Into every pool a little rain must fall, but automatic pool covers do you a favor by keeping most of the downpour out. Rain carries everything it’s cleaned out of the air, including pollution, particulates, spores, dirt, dust, and the occasional fish.

Rain can also be very acidic, especially in urban and suburban areas, and all that acid can throw your pool’s water chemistry into a tizzy. Worse, some of the assorted debris collected by rain can provide a tempting food source for algae and bacteria.

By keeping rain out of your pool, your automatic pool cover is keeping major stress out of your life.

The Slightly Less Good

They’ve got features you won’t find on other pool covers, but automatic pool covers also carry a few caveats for prospective buyers.

A Hefty Price Tag: Depending on where you live, the kind of pool you own, and the contractor you choose (if you don’t DIY), these covers can cost between $5,000 and $15,000 to install.

The average lifespan of the cover itself is two to five years, so add approximately $2,000 to $4,000 into your long-term maintenance budget for replacements.

Watch out for Gremlins: Because they have motors and moving parts, automatic pool covers are subject to the same subset of Murphy’s Law that governs all mechanical devices.

They require more maintenance than manual covers, and you might find yourself in the awkward position of being locked out of your own pool if the cover decides to take a powder while it’s in the closed position.

They Might Do Their Job a Little Too Well: If you live in a hot climate, you might find that an automatic pool cover is trapping heat so effectively that your pool water is too warm when you’re ready to swim. Diving into water that’s 95°F (35°C) or warmer isn’t exactly a trip to Refreshmentville.

The cover may also prevent chlorine from dissipating properly, leading to potentially corrosive buildup that can damage the cover itself.

Wintertime Woes: While they work like a champ in warmer climes and times, these covers can’t take too heavy of a snow load. If Old Man Winter drops a ton of the white stuff where you live, you might be better off with a traditional pool safety cover.

Alternatively, consider retracting the automatic cover during the winter months and using a standard security cover when the snow flies.

So How the Heck Do You Choose One?

It really all comes down to preference and budget. Automatic pool covers all work in pretty much the same way, and all look pretty much the same.

So do you want to be able to press a button to cover and uncover your pool? And can you afford not just the initial expense, but the upkeep? Then you’re a good candidate for an automatic cover.

It Feels Great to Automate

Nobody wants to spend time toiling at a winch when they could be swimming. Get ready to push the button on automated convenience and protect your pool from contaminants, invaders, and accidents.

Automatic pool covers combine peace of mind and convenience, provided you’ve budgeted for their installation and upkeep. Choose the right one for your pool, and you’ll be covered when it matters most.

Happy Swimming!

The post Automatic Pool Covers: How to Choose The Right One appeared first on Swim University®.

You can take the burden off yourself and put your mind at ease by installing an above ground pool fence. Everyone who uses your pool will be safer, and it’ll help keep out unwanted critters too. Putting up a fence is an investment in worry-free pool ownership.

Is an Above Ground Pool Fence Necessary?

Well, only if you want your pool to be safe. Which means the answer is yes, it’s necessary. Is it going to be pretty? Maybe not. But keeping your family and friends safe is more important than what your pool looks like, right?

Just because your pool is above ground doesn’t mean you can’t surround it with a safety barrier the same way you’d have an inground pool fence. Besides, the benefits of having an above ground pool fence are too many and too important to ignore.

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Child Safety

Maybe it’s your kids. Or maybe the neighbors’ kids. Or maybe you have a big back-to-school blowout pool party every year. Whatever the case, if children are going to be using your pool, you must make it safe for them.

Approximately ten people drown every day in the United States alone. Two of those are children under the age of 15. It doesn’t take long for this to happen. A child can run near the pool, fall in, and be unable to get out. By the time you reach them, it may be too late.

An above ground pool fence is a second line of defense after your home’s doors. It can help keep kids out of the pool area when you’re not there to watch them. Smaller children may be fully protected just by the presence of a fence. But because older kids are crafty and can more easily open gates and go where they’re not supposed to, you may want to consider adding a pool alarm to further secure the area.

Poolguard Safety Buoy Above Ground Pool or Spa Alarm

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Pet Safety

Most dogs and cats have the ability to swim. But did you know some dog breeds aren’t good swimmers, and others can’t swim at all?

But even if your pets are good swimmers, they may have a hard time getting out of the pool because they must tilt their heads back to keep from getting water in their noses. This means they can’t easily see where the stairs are. They may try to exit via the side of the pool, struggling until they’re finally too exhausted to stay afloat.

An above ground pool fence can also keep other animals like opossums, raccoons, and squirrels from drowning in your pool.

Tip: Swimming with your dog can be a lot of fun. To also make it easier, consider getting her a doggie life vest to wear in the pool. It will increase buoyancy, and help keep her from getting tired in the water, especially if you have a breed of dog that’s not a strong swimmer, or is unable to swim without assistance.

Outward Hound Granby Dog Life Jacket

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General Safety

Pool safety isn’t just for kids and animals. Anyone can trip and fall, possibly hitting their head, and landing in the pool. If they’re rendered unconscious, and no one is there to help, they can quickly drown.

This can be an even bigger concern if you host a pool party and serve alcohol. If someone has a little too much to drink, they may decide to take a fully clothed swim. Under the effects of alcohol, and weighed down by their clothing, they may have trouble getting out of the pool. And if they pass out, they may meet a tragic end.

Install an above ground pool fence and keep the gate locked when you’re not actually using the pool.

Mighty Mule Bulldog Pedestrian Gate Lock

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Above Ground Pool Fence Features

Not much different from each other as far as color and structure, above ground pool fences have some standard features regardless of manufacturer.

Material

Made from a low-maintenance, rust-free plastic resin, above ground pool fences are sturdy and long-lasting. To keep it clean, just spray it down with a hose. If it gets really dirty, you can use an outdoor multi-purpose spray to get it clean.

303 UV Protectant Spray

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Fence Section Kits

Because pools can come in so many sizes and can either be round or oval, rather than coming in one large kit, most above ground pool fences are sold in three separate components: Kit A, Kit B, and Kit C.

This doesn’t mean you don’t get everything you need unless you buy all three. When you get Kit A, you get a certain number of fence sections—the number will vary between brands—and the hardware to mount them.

If the sections included in Kit A aren’t enough to surround your pool, but another Kit A would be too many sections, you can get a Kit B, which will contain additional sections, though not as many as are included in Kit A.

If you still don’t have enough sections, but another Kit B would be too many, you can get Kit C which has additional sections, though not as many as are included in Kit B.

This way, you can customize your above ground pool fence to your pool in the most cost-effective way possible.

GLI Above Ground Pool Fence Base Kit

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Gates

If you decide to completely surround your pool with a fence, you’ll need a way to get in and out of the pool. And no, diving over the fence is not a good idea.

Because above ground pool fences come in sections, you can easily add a gate between a couple of sections.

Don’t Wait for a Reason

When’s the best time to put up an above ground pool fence? Before you open your pool. After you’ve opened your pool. While people are using it. In other words, now. Now is always a good time.

You’ll feel a lot better knowing you’ve taken steps to keep your loved ones safe, and that everyone will be able to enjoy your pool without fear.

Happy Swimming!

The post How to Choose an Above Ground Pool Fence appeared first on Swim University®.

Even if you don’t have kids, pets, or neighbors who take liberties when you’re not home, a pool fence can be a lifesaver—literally. Not only that, you may be required to have one by law, or at least by your insurance provider whether you’re a homeowner or a renter. Before you take that first dive into the pool, make sure you’re doing so in a safe and legally compliant environment.

Do You Really Need a Pool Fence?

In a word, yes. If you’re thinking it’ll ruin the look of your backyard landscape, well, that’s definitely a possibility, let’s be honest. But concerns about aesthetics are outweighed by keeping your friends and family safe around your pool.

Child Safety

Whether you have kids of your own, or you have friends or relatives who visit with their kids from time to time, they probably love splashing around in your pool. You want it to be fun for them, but you also want to keep them safe.

Roughly ten people die every day due to unintentional drowning, and two of those are children aged 14 and younger. It can take mere seconds for a child to run outside, fall into the pool, and be unable to get back out. And by the time you realize they’re gone, it’s often too late.

A pool fence is a secondary layer of protection (after the doors on your home) to keep kids away from the pool when no one is there to supervise them. Toddlers may be thwarted just by the presence of a fence, but older kids can figure out how to open gates, so adding a third layer of protection in the form of a pool alarm is essential.

PoolGuard Outdoor Pool Gate Alarm

Made for any gate, outside door, or screen, this alarm protects access to your pool. The alarm automatically resets and is always on, preventing anyone from accidentally leaving your gate open for children or pets to wander to your pool.

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Pet Safety

Dogs and cats can instinctively swim, but they can often have difficulty getting out of the pool. Because they have to keep their heads tilted back to avoid getting water in their noses, they can’t see where the stairs are.

They’ll try over and over again to lift themselves out via the side of the pool, until they finally exhaust themselves and can no longer stay afloat.

If you have pets, if your neighborhood has feral cats, or if you also want to keep other animals like raccoons, squirrels, and opossums from drowning in your pool, consider installing a pool fence.

Tip: Letting your dog swim with you can be a lot of fun for both of you. Consider getting him a doggie life vest to wear while he’s in the pool. It will increase his buoyancy, which will help keep him from tiring in the water, especially if you have a breed of dog that’s not a strong swimmer, such as an English bulldog.

Outward Hound Granby Dog Life Jacket

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General Safety

Kids and animals aren’t the only ones to consider when it comes to pool safety. Anyone can slip on a small patch of algae on the deck, fall into the pool, and possibly injure themselves. And even an adult expert swimmer can drown if they hit their head, are knocked unconscious, and no one is around.

This is of particular concern if you ever host parties where alcohol is served. A few too many, and one of your guests might decide it’s a great idea to jump into the pool fully clothed when no one’s looking. With their faculties dampened by alcohol, and weighted down by jeans and shoes, they may have trouble getting out of the pool or even staying afloat.

Put that pool fence up and—unless it’s a pool party—keep the gate locked so guests don’t wander into danger.

Mighty Mule Bulldog Pedestrian Gate Lock

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Adhering to Pool Fence Laws

So maybe you don’t have kids or pets, and you don’t host parties. That’s cool. But a pool fence may still be required by law where you live.

Federal Law

There is currently no federal law that requires fences on residential pools. But the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission administers the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGB Act), which mandates certain safety requirements for public pools and spas. Many of the considerations in this legislation can also be applied to residential pools to help keep swimmers safe.

State Law

Some states require pool fences, or at least some kind of barrier (like a pool safety cover), around residential pools.

For example, the Washington State Department of Health has a regulation that specifies how high the fence must be, that it must have a latch, and that it have an alarm.

Check with your state to learn whether it has any such laws to ensure you’re following them. If you’re not in compliance, you may be risking fines or even closure of your pool until it’s brought up to the state’s safety standards.

Local Law

Some cities have laws that differ from the laws of the state they’re in.

For example, the Arizona State Legislature passed a law that requires a residential pool to have a fence unless it’s located at “a residence in which all residents are at least six years of age.”

However, the city of Scottsdale, Arizona, requires residential pool fences regardless of the age of any residents. In fact, the city also states that their “current swimming pool barrier requirements apply to all single-family residential swimming pools, spas and hot tubs constructed after July 20, 1995,” and “there are no exemptions for households without children.” Not only that, but you need a permit before you can put up a pool fence.

So even if you know your state doesn’t require you to have a pool fence, it’s a good idea to check your city’s laws just to be on the safe side.

Insurance Requirements

Maybe neither your state nor your city requires you to have a pool fence. Great! But what about your insurance provider? It may not matter whether you own or rent your home.

Homeowner’s Insurance

Some insurance providers may require you to have a pool fence in order to reduce liability claims. They may even specify what type of fence you need to have. If there’s an accident in your pool, and you didn’t have a fence as required by the provider, they may not pay out for your claim, leaving you to cover any resulting costs out of pocket.

Even if your provider doesn’t require a fence, or even a change in your coverage, you may still want to increase at least your liability coverage, just in case.

If you have a pool, or you’re thinking about building one, check with your insurance provider to make sure you remain covered.

Renter’s Insurance

If you rent a home with a pool, it’s possible the landlord’s homeowner’s insurance will cover any damage to the pool, like a tree falling into it during a storm. But injuries that occur in or around the pool may be your responsibility, and would fall under your liability coverage.

Also, if the landlord’s provider requires a fence, and the landlord hasn’t put one up, a pool-related accident could lead to a lot of trouble and expense for you. Discuss this with your landlord to make sure you and your family are protected.

On the other hand, if you rent a home and the landlord allows you to put an above ground pool in the back yard, you may be fully liable for any damages or accidents that occur as a result of or related to that pool.

Because an above ground pool is technically not permanent, the installation of a pool fence will most likely be your responsibility rather than the landlord’s. Again, discuss the situation with both your landlord and your renter’s insurance provider to make sure everyone is covered, and that you’re following all the rules. It can prevent a lot of headaches and heartaches later.

Note: The types of pool fences required by laws or referred to in insurance policies are the kind that surround the entire pool area. This is different from an above ground pool fence, which is mounted on top of the pool wall itself.

Pool Fence Types

Just like a fence you put around your back yard, pool fences come in a variety of materials and price points.

Mesh

The easiest and least expensive option, a mesh pool fence isn’t the most reliable choice. Though the mesh panels are connected to stationary posts, they’re pretty easy to push down. In addition, they may not be accepted by a state or city that requires pool fencing.

This is a good option if all you want to keep out of your pool area are small animals like squirrels. Even then, they may not be enough.

Mesh fences are usually available in DIY kits that don’t require professional installation, contributing further to their affordability.

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PVC

It’s good enough for plumbing, so why not use it for a pool fence? The hardened plastic is strong, and can stand up to the elements quite well, though not as well as aluminum. Being made of plastic, though, a PVC fence can be made into just about any shape or size.

In addition to slatted designs, they can also be solid, offering more privacy than other types of fences. You may need professional installation, though.

Chain Link

Just like the type you see on back yards and even around businesses, chain link is an affordable option for a pool fence, but it’s not the safest option. Chain link fences are the easiest to climb, meaning children and small animals could easily make their way into the pool area. Better to invest in something that creates a more solid barrier.

If you do choose chain link, you can install it yourself if you’re handy with concrete and wire cutters.

Aluminum

Usually powder-coated, this type of fence is highly weather resistant. They require less upkeep than other types of fences, and can be more aesthetically pleasing with numerous ornamental designs available.

Wrought Iron

Heavy and durable, this type of fence can last for many years. But that long life will require upkeep. Exposure to sun and rain will eventually cause the fence to rust, which means you’ll have to sand and paint the fence from time to time to prevent it from completely rusting and falling apart.

Vinyl

Sturdy and fairly weather resistant, this is a good choice if you can set the posts in concrete. If you lack that skill, you can hire a professional to install the pool fence for you.

Consider choosing a slatted option rather than solid. While solid fencing does create an impenetrable barrier around the pool area, it also obstructs your view of the pool. You want to keep danger contained, but you also need to be able to see the pool just in case all your safety measures fail, and a child or animal finds their way into your pool despite your best efforts.

This can also be an aesthetic concern. Part of the joy of having a pool is being able to look over the sparkling, clear water.

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Wood

While offering a lot of versatility in style and design, wood also requires more maintenance. Whether it’s left natural, stained, or painted, you will eventually have to clean, strip, or repaint the fence after it’s taken a beating from sun and weather.

Wood can be an economical choice, though. Less expensive than other materials, you can surround a larger pool at a lower cost. But as with vinyl, it’s important to avoid a solid fence design to allow an unobstructed view of the pool.

Glass

Probably the most expensive type of pool fence, glass can also be the most beautiful while remaining functional. A glass fence will provide a nearly unobstructed view of your pool from any part of your yard, and vice versa.

If you live in an area that sees any kind of severe weather, though, it’s not be the best choice for your pool.

Metal Pool Fence Styles

If you want an aluminum, wrought iron, or steel fence, you have a few styles to choose from. This choice is not just about aesthetics, but what’s going to work best for your pool and family.

Flat Top

Exactly as its name suggests, the top of this fence is flat. Vertical bars are connected by horizontal bars at the top and bottom of the fence, and the bars do not extend past the top bar. It’s the most basic pool fence style.

Double Top

This type of pool fence has an additional horizontal bar along the top of the fence. It’s purely decorative, and sometimes ornamental elements are added between the two top horizontal bars.

If you have toddlers, this may not be the best option. That additional bar at the top is practically an invitation to try to climb the pool fence.

Loop Top

Adding a bit of aesthetic interest, this style of fence has horizontal metal bars that, instead of ending at their tops or meeting a flat top, create a loop.

Wire

While it may sound like a flimsy option, we’re not talking about something like chicken wire here. The wire used on this type of pool fence is usually heavy duty steel, and more like slender cables than wires.

A wire fence is usually more weather resistant and durable than the other metal styles.

Pool Fence Features

You may be thinking, if you’ve seen one pool fence, you’ve seen them all. Granted, they’re all similar in that they perform the same function.

But pool fences do have a few features you’ll want to take into consideration before you install one.

Height

If your main concerns are toddlers and pets, a 4-foot fence will probably do the job quite well. But remember, your child is going to keep growing, so you may want to invest in a higher fence now rather than having to install a second one later on.

And remember to check your state and local laws, which may have minimum height requirements.

Ground Clearance

It would make no sense to install a pool fence that your children or pets could easily climb under. Not to mention other animals like raccoons and squirrels.

When you install your pool fence, make sure there’s little to no clearance between the bottom of the fence and the ground.

Gap Width

If you choose a fence with vertical slats of wood or iron bars, you must ensure the gap between those pieces is narrow enough that a child can’t squeeze through.

With this kind of fence, it may be more difficult to keep animals out, though, especially small ones that can squeeze through very narrow spaces. Keep this in mind if you have cats or small dogs.

Connection

Some fences are available as kits you put together yourself. If you go that route, make sure the method for connecting the fence pieces is sturdy. Flimsy or loosely fitted pieces defeat the purpose of putting up a pool fence in the first place.

Hand and Foot Holds

While your child is still crawling, pretty much any kind of pool fence will keep them from entering the pool area. But once they start standing and walking, kids become little mountain climbers, notorious for escaping from play pens and working their way over baby gates.

Make sure the fence you choose isn’t providing your kids with makeshift hand and foot holds. For example, to a kid, the second, decorative horizontal bar along the top of a double-top fence is a way for them to hoist themselves up.

Aside from gaining access to the very area you’re trying to restrict, children can also hurt themselves by climbing and possibly falling off a pool fence. Take all of this into account when choosing your fence.

Good Fences Make Good Pools

So are you really ready for pool season? You’ll feel a lot more prepared once you have a pool fence up, and can rest assured that you’re taking steps to keep kids, animals, and the occasional clumsy adult safe from pool-related mishaps and dangers.

It’s simply a matter of choosing the best type and style of fence that will suit your needs and your landscape, and adding a pool alarm when and where necessary. Then you’ll be able to enjoy your pool with a lot less worry.

Happy Swimming!

The post How to Select The Right Pool Fence For Any Shape or Size appeared first on Swim University®.