If you have a pool in your backyard, you want to make the area as safe as possible. According to the CDC, 10 people accidentally drowned in the U.S. per day from the years 2005 to 2014, and your pool is just as much of a risk factor for drowning as any other body of water.

The best way to make your backyard pool safe and to protect your family (and anyone who visits) from accidentally gaining access to your pool is to properly fence the area off. Here are fencing options for your pool.

Chain link can be ideal for fencing around a pool area because the individual links do not provide enough space for a young child to slip through to gain access to the pool area. However, chain link can also be easily climbed, so if you are choosing this fencing option to keep your pool area safe, you will want to install a chain link fence with two important qualities.

Have your fencing contractor install a six foot chain link fence around your pool. You could also check with your city's zoning laws to see if you can install a fence that is even higher, especially for pool protection purposes. A higher fence is more difficult for people to climb.

Chain link is known for its durability. You can further increase the strength (along with privacy and climbing difficulty) by having vinyl slats placed in between the chain links. The results are a more attractive pool fencing solution that lacks an easy climbing for curious pool goers.

A wooden fence is another way you can protect your pool area. Wooden fences are best known for their attractive appeal and privacy and can also keep people away from your pool easily. The key to installing a wooden fence for poolside purposes is this: make sure the building structure of the wood faces the interior of the pool (not out into your yard) so exposed fence posts and support beams cannot be used to climb over a fence.

If you do install a wooden fence around your backyard pool, make sure the fence is put up far enough away from the water so the material doesn't get splashed often (which can warp wood or cause mold growth over time). You should also have your wooden fence sealed and treated to help the material last as long as possible.

Perhaps the most ideal solution for your pool fencing needs is PVC. PVC is durable, completely private in its design (unless you want a picket-style fence for your pool with close-together slats), and very effective in keeping your pool area safe from children and pets.

PVC is a hard plastic that won't deteriorate under wet weather or pool conditions. The fencing is also decorative, so if you want to add curb appeal to your home, PVC is a wise choice for pool protection.

  

Always put gate latches near the top of your fencing (so little ones can't reach them). You can also install alarms on your fence gates that go off when the gates are manipulated (you can turn these alarms on when no one is to be near your pool) so you can become quickly aware if your pool is being accessed.

You have many different types of fencing installations to consider to make your backyard pool much safer and enjoyable. Your fencing expert will show you different varieties of fencing for pool use based on privacy factors, durability, and protection.

Your fencing contractor can examine your pool area to see what fencing solution is right for your property and budget. Call us at West Georgia Fence for your fencing needs today.