Swimming Pool Fences: Safety Plus

by Marcus Pickett

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There can be any number of reasons to install a swimming pool fence, but the primary one is safety (especially the safety of small children). Even the most responsible parents can lose track of their children for a moment, and this is often all it takes for the worst of tragedies to strike your home. It takes only 5 minutes under the water to cause brain damage and possibly death. This is not something you fool around with, and swimming pool fences have proved one of the most effective child safety features you can install.

Swimming Pool Fences: Childless Safety
Even if you don't have children, pool safety should still be a concern. Swimming pools are attractive to more than just you, your family, and your guests. No matter how many signs and warnings you put up, some people (imagine brazen teenagers) may still end up trespassing and using your pool. Someone swimming in your pool may be unpleasant enough, but if they were to be injured or drown in your pool, you can and probably will be sued for negligence. Even when a lawsuit isn't a concern (laws differ from state to state), you'll want to help ensure everybody stays safe: even those whom you press charges against later. Plus, installing a safety fence may be the difference between winning and losing your lawsuit or, better yet, having the lawsuit thrown out of court.

Swimming Pool Fence Basic Design Options
Swimming pool fences are available with varying characteristics. General strength is an important consideration, especially for homeowners who live in regions with high winds. One of the biggest factors in the quality of your pool fence is a resistance to sun damage and rust. How long you want your fence to last and retain a reasonably pleasing appearance and your budgetary resources will determine just how far up the scale you go. For safety, a quality lock is probably just as important as the strength of your fence. While the required fence length also determines overall cost, the shape of your pool and the fence enclosure does not. Most fencing is designed to create a perimeter for any enclosure shape.

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Other Uses of Swimming Pool Fences
While safety is the issue that concerns most homeowners who install a pool fence, there are plenty of other reasons why a swimming pool fence is a good idea. Privacy is probably the next biggest motivator for a homeowner considering a pool fence. Whether you don't want neighbors and drifters spying on you in general, or you're a fan of romantic trysts with your loved one in the backyard, some swimming pool fences provide a visual barrier for unwanted onlookers.

Marcus Pickett is a professional freelance writer for the home remodeling industry. He has published more than 600 articles on both regional and national topics within the home improvement industry.