0600078-2We were having a ball! My son had just been given one of those easy set style pools, you know, the rubbery kind that the sides rise as you fill it, due to the inflatable top ring. Oh, forget my trying to explain! That’s the kind I’m talking about, in that picture right over there on the right!

Anyway, it was the first day that was hot enough to make the water tolerable and we were just having the time of our lives.

Right up until the code enforcement people came to talk to my son about violations to the Florida Pool Safety Regulations for Residential Pools. Not much fun after that.

Pool%20latch-resized-600Not many people realize that, regardless of the kind of pool you have…with the exception of the little wading pools aka “kiddy pools”…you are subject to your state’s safety regulations.

  • You must have some sort of barrier around your pool, in-ground or above ground
  • If it’s a fence type barrier with a self-closing gate, the latch must be located on the pool side of the fence
  • Your barrier must be at least 4′ high, with no way for a child to crawl under, over or through the fence
  • An alternative to all this, depending on your state’s statutes, may be a pool cover that is sturdy enough to prevent a child or medically frail adult from falling into the water and secure enough that a child cannot remove it – or –
  • If the above ground pool has rigid sides and is 4′ high or more, with an access ladder, your state might allow you to use a gated ladder (see picture), as long as it’s at least 4′ high, is self closing and the latch is on the pool side…just like a fence barrier

Even if you have a fence around your property, you must have a barrier to access of the pool…no if’s and’s or but’s.

The only exceptions to these rules are

  1. your pool is a “kiddy pool” (usually no more than 8″-12″ deep), or
  2. your in-ground pool was built prior to the implementation of your state’s statutes…again, depending on how your state has spelled them out.

So, before you open your pool to neighbour’s, or before you erect your above ground pool, check out the pool safety laws of your state…then get the accessories you need to not only stay out of trouble but also to keep your loved ones safe.

Don’t find out the hard way!

This is one of the pool covers for the easy set style pools. Check the safety statutes in your state to see if it qualifies under safety guidelines.

This is one of the pool covers for the easy set style pools. Check the safety statutes in your state to see if it qualifies under safety guidelines.

A ladder like this is generally acceptable for a rigid sided, above ground pool with sides that are 4' high or more. The latch must be on the inside/poolside of the gate. You are still required to make sure that a child is unable to climb up the sides to get in.

A ladder like this is generally acceptable for a rigid sided, above ground pool with sides that are 4′ high or more. The latch must be on the inside/poolside of the gate. You are still required to make sure that a child is unable to climb up the sides to get in.

If the access ladder for your above ground pool is not easily removable or you have a full or partial access deck, make sure you have a deck barrier mounted on the top edge. It must be installed correctly so that it's stable.

If the access ladder for your above ground pool is not easily removable or you have a full or partial access deck, make sure you have a deck barrier mounted on the top edge. It must be installed correctly so that it’s stable.

strongest-pool-fence

Finally, there are a number of more affordable products on the market for use as a barrier. You might want to check into Good Deals 24/7 to see if your favorite pool accessories store is offering any money saving deals. Just remember though, before you go to the expense of buying something that you think may help you cut money corners, make sure you know the pool safety laws of your state.