Pool Safety Barriers

Far too many drownings in back yard pools....

The 2012 Lifesaving Society’s Canadian Drowning report, finds backyard swimming pools are the number one aquatic setting for children under 5 years to drown. It is clear therefore that child safety needs be a major concern for ALL pool owners. A lack in active adult supervision is a main cause of these drownings (62%), but the good news is, there are several steps that pool owners can take to get some help to improve their supervision around the pool. Babysecure is making an effort to educate people on the seriousness of the situation, and provide the tools and services needed to keep your pool secure. Pool safety is not just fences and locks. It is an awareness. An understanding that you have a potential hazard in your backyard and a responsibilty to avoid injury not only to your family but others in your neighbourhood.There are several resources for you to learn more about pool safety and drowning prevention, a few of them include.... Safe Kids Canada, Red Cross, Royal Lifesaving Society.

Why we need "4 sided" pool fencing

Being a pool owner comes with the responsibility of preventing drowning for members of your family and friends but also your neighbours. Quebecers do not fare well on this account. While Quebec represents only a quarter of Canada’s population, we have 44% of all the backyard pools in Canada. This leads to Quebec having the largest number of drowning deaths in private pools, averaging 11 per year - and more than half are toddlers under 4 years of age. Across the country, drowning is amongst the top reasons for injury death in all age groups even into the senior years.

Fencing required by regulation

Example of a pool fence with a self-closing gate

The Quebec government, along with other provinces and countries, have legislated additional pool security. Municipalities have the last word on pool regulations so restrictions may vary but they must meet the minimum provincial standard. Contact your municipal Urban Planning department to find out what specific requirements are for your municipality. In Quebec, there is a province-wide minimum standard for the construction of new pools. Regardless of where you pool is new or older than the law which came into effect 2011, the safer approach for any pool owner, is to comply with its standards. The law requires “four-sided” fencing with a gate. Four-sided refers to fencing around all sides of the pool. This can include a wall of the house as long as there are no doors or windows which could directly access the open pool. Hedges are not considered sufficent barriers as little children could get through. The new law also requires the fence to be minimum 4 ft high with a self-closing, self-locking gate. The locking mechanism must be at the top of the gate, to insure the entrance to the pool is always restricted to children.

 Enjoy your summer around the pool.