Are pool nets safe and effective?
 

I need to get either a fence or a pool net for our pool. We have 3yr old and 9mo old boys and we need some protection.

We're not crazy about the fence because they look bad and they restrict my boys from playing in our backyard. We're not crazy about the net because it's kind of a PITA.

Anyone have any experience with these?

Id think if you've got good eyes on him, it shouldnt be a problem. Train them not to go near it, unless theyres an adult around.

To me, after a quick google search, thoose nets look DANGERIOUS AS HELL!!!!!

I invision a kid, who falls in, getting tangeled up in one, and getting stuck face down... Looks like the holes in them are about 4"
Even with a secure Anchoring system, I dont think Id trust my kids around one... But i dont plan on having kids for at least another 9 years...

Seriously, I think you should just try your best to keep an eye on them, and train them not to be near one

I really dont like the idea of a net, at all
~Nate

Two things you need to do. 1. Build a tall fence with a high lock. 2. get those kids started with swimming lessons now! we started our daughter when she was still in diapers, she loved it. kids are like little otters, they just naturally take to the water...even when they can't really swim, they can bob, float, roll over grab a breath...they can survive, it is natural.

it is also natural for kids to drawn to water, pools, ponds, or muddle puddles. don't even think you can "keep a good eye" on them, you can't, not all the time and it only takes a couple of minutes to produce a drowning death.

build the fence, teach 'em to swim...heck 7/10ths of the earth is covered in water, it makes sense to teach 'em to swim before they walk!

btw, our daughter is 18 now, teaches swimming lessons, moves like fish in the water, she is truly at home in pool, river, lake, or ocean. one of the best things we ever did for her was teaching her to swim.

Pool Safety....seriously
 

Being in South Florida the one thing I can tell you we hear a lot of is toddlers getting out of the sliding glass doors and falling into the pool..Mom or dads on the phone or loading the dishwasher or laundry and just that quick BAM !!!!This week alone a 2 and 3 yr old fell into pools here and drowned in seperate incidents...this is no joke.

Immediately get kids over to the YMCA, swim club or whatever swim school and get them acclaimated to the water. In reference to your question the only other method of protection I have seen that works is a floating frog that is an alarm and it notifies you of the water is disturbed..Works prettty good but if you get birds it could be a nuisance..

We have the net and it clips right into the deck and really is not such a PITA for all the upside and peace of mind you get. With or without net, fence or alarm get them into the water and they can at least learn to hold their breath to start.

There is no safety for a child around a pool without 24/7 supervision. Anything other than that is a false sense of security.

Well said. A tragedy can occur in seconds. It is well worth the pain-in-the-ass effort of supervision and prevention, as opposed to a funeral.

Did I make any sence when I said a kid could get entangled in one, and get stuck face down? I've never seen one in real life, so I dont know. But judging from the pics ive seen on the net (tks to google), they dont look safe at all


Swimming lessons... I wish I had mine earlier. I was about 6 when I had mine, and I absoultly hated it... Total kickscreambawlfight to get there, but I'm glad my mom forced me to learn how to swim.

It does make sence to swim before you walk though, never though of it that way...


~Nate

I say get one and you'll have a little less to worry about.

A good defense is to enroll them in swimming classes as early as possible, get them proficient and you'll worry a little less.

The 3yr old can already swim, but he doesn't have the body strength to get himself enough out of water to get air. If you're gonna have a pool around, I want them in it as often as possible because the best defense is to teach them to swim.

I do my best to watch them, but it's illogical to say you can be there 24/7 when they're in the backyard.

Then it is not logical to have a pool. Letting a 3 year old play around a pool without adult supervision is plain ****** stupid. If something happens your ass should be in jail.

Get a glass fence if you don't like the obstructed view.

Over here, all pools must be fenced with a child proof gate lock - too many infant drownings.

Australia has lot's of pools.

But either way, get a fence!!!!!

Around here, we have building codes. If you have a pool, you have a fence, with gates that lock. Nate, it's obvious you don't have kids yet. :) No one mentioned the neighbors kids, either.

I'm seeking advice; not personal attacks.

If it came off as an attack I am sorry but it only takes 15-30 seconds for a 3 year old to drown, I have had a personal experience with this and luckily the child was only under for less than a minute and the mother knew CPR.

I don't think MM's comment was a direct personal attack at you. I think he would have said it to anyone that thinks they can't be reasonably expected to properly supervise toddlers in a dangerous environment.:rolleyes: