D.C. - Around much of the nation, Memorial Day weekend signals the time to open the family pool for the summer. Pool owners, especially those with young children and grandchildren, should always keep in mind the deadly hazards a pool can pose. A young child can drown quickly and silently, often without any splashing or screaming. It can happen in just the few minutes it takes to answer the telephone. Drowning ranks as the leading cause of death to young children in several sunbelt states.
Physical barriers designed to limit access to pools provide an important layer of security.
Effective barriers include fences or walls, and power safety covers over pools. Fences and walls should be at least 4 feet high and installed completely around the pool. The latch should be out of a small child's reach. If your house forms one side of the barrier for the pool, then doors leading from the house to the pool should be protected with alarms that produce an audible sound when a door is unexpectedly opened. A power safety cover, a motor-powered barrier that can be placed over the water area, can be used as an alternative to door alarms.