It’s time to get your backyard ready for spring! Which means it’s time for any homeowner in New York with a pool to ensure their yard is ready for a safe summer season of pool fun. The spring is the perfect time to make sure your backyard is ready for the warmer months. We’ve created a Backyard Pool Safety Checklist for homeowners to follow to protect your family from accidental drownings this year and beyond.

Your Complete Backyard Pool Safety Checklist

At Life Saver Pool Fence we teach all of our clients how to be a “LIFESAVER” with our pool safety tips and checklist:

Layers of protection – Install layers of protection in your yard to protect your family and pets from having easy access to the pool.

Install a pool alarm to alert you of any disturbances to the water and install door locks on any doors that provide access to the backyard.

Fence the pool – A fence is the best way to protect your family from accidental drownings.

Early Infant Swim Instruction – If you have an infant or are expecting a baby, it’s best to get them into swim instruction as early as possible.

Supervise Children and Designate a Water Watcher – Never, ever leave your child or children unattended, even just for a minute or two.

Always Check the Pool First When Children Are Missing – If your child has disappeared from sight, the pool should be the first place you look, even before checking the front yard or street.

Verify Caretakers Know CPR – This means yourself, your spouse, grandparents, babysitters and anyone else who is left alone with your child.

Educated Family and Babysitters on Pool Safety – Anyone who watches your child, including yourself, should understand pool safety and how to keep your children safe around the pool.

Remember that Drowning is Silent and the #1 Accidental Killer of Children Ages 1-4.

In addition to this, when it comes to your pool fence, it’s important to ensure you have all of the “must-haves” in place.

Pool Mesh Pool Fence Must-Haves

• A fence that has a self-closing, self-latching gate with a latch knob at least 6” above the gate.
• A fence that has withstood testing that proves the poles can withstand 100+ pounds of force.
• A fence that does not have any sharp hooks or points on the latches of hardware.
• A fence made of four lines of stitching securing the border to the mesh

Pool and swim season will be here before you know it. The spring is the perfect time to go through this pool safety checklist and make sure your family can enjoy the pool worry-free all summer long. If you need to install new pool fencing, contact us today at (516) 766-5336.

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Whether you already have a mesh pool fence installed in your backyard, or you are considering having one installed this year, you may be wondering if they can survive harsh northeast winters. While some fences may weaken or even collapse under the weight of heavy snow, Life Saver’s pool fences are durable enough to withstand harsh winter conditions.

Our fences are easily removable and can be taken down, rolled up and stored for the winter months. However, this is not necessary since our mesh is made from the strongest industrial mesh currently available on the market. In fact, it has a tensile strength of over 270 pounds per square inch, and a mesh weave that is made from a strong nylon basket weave with a polyvinyl coating ensuring that the mesh is weather proof even from extreme cold.  The mesh is securely mounted on solid core reinforced aluminum poles. Additionally, the poles we use are triple-reinforced for a more solid installation. Third-party testing has shown that they are by far the strongest removable pool fence poles in the industry.

In addition to a pool fence, it is ideal to also secure you pool with a weight bearing pool cover, which  will not only keep debris out of your pool, but also will support the weight of a person should they walk on the cover. It is also a good idea to lock your pool gate in order to deter children, pets or anyone else from entering the pool area.

Pool safety is critical all year round, even after your pool has been closed for the season! Rest assured that our mesh fencing can withstand even the harshest winter. If you need to install new pool fencing, contact us today at (516) 766-5336.

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While having a self-closing, self-latching pool fence installed may make sense to many people, some may be wondering whether it is really necessary to go the additional step to have a lock installed on your pool fence gate. The answer to this question is yes. In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends for pool owners to install a self-closing, self-latching, key lockable gate in any pool fence system. Even if you feel that a self-latching gate is enough to keep your children out, the added step of adding a lock will give you the security that your pool is completely inaccessible from authorized use by unsupervised children when it is not in use.

Accidental drowning is a leading cause of death for children under the age of five. Additionally, the majority of cases of an at-home pool drownings or near-drownings, occurred when parents were around the house or the pool area. The unfortunate reality is that it only takes mere seconds of distraction for a child to get into the pool area. Not having adequate safety measures in place can lead to catastrophic events for a family. And while a closed pool fence may keep toddlers out of the pool area, there is a risk of older children figuring out a way to open the gate. A locked pool gate keeps even the craftiest of children out of harm’s way.

If you already have a pool fence installed now is the time to install a lock on your gate. It is also a good time to check your fence and ensure it isn’t in need of any repairs and verify that the gate latches properly.

If you need to install new pool fencing, contact us today at (516) 766-5336. Warm weather is upon us in New York, which means now is the time to ensure your pool is a safe as can be.

Download our FREE Swimming Pool Safety Guide here.

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Regardless of whether you have an above-ground or in-ground pool, a pool fence is essential to the safety of your family. Your pool should be enclosed by a fence that has a self-closing and self-latching gate with a lock. The fence should be a minimum of 4’ high and it should have a child safety locking mechanism that is at least 54” from the ground. This creates a safe environment where your swimming pool is inaccessible to unsupervised children and from unauthorized use. It will also prevent accidental drowning of smaller kids, toddlers, and even family pets.

It’s best to start off the season with a pool fence already installed so you can have the peace of mind that your family is safe and prevent accidental drownings. If you already have pool fences installed now is a good time to check your fence and ensure it isn’t in need of any repairs. You should also verify that the gate latches and locks properly.

If you need to install new pool fencing, contact us today at (516) 766-5336. Summer is just around the corner in New York, which means it is the perfect time to have an installation performed.

Download our FREE Swimming Pool Safety Guide here.

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Do-It-Yourself Pool Fences. Are They The Best Option?

Your first option would be installing them yourself and buying a pool fence DIY online. Depending on your needs, this may or may not be the best plan. Consulting a local professional is advised. However if you do look online, you will find many options available on Amazon, for example. The cost for a Pool Fence DIY ranges from $9.00 per foot to $12.00 per foot, plus drill rental, shipping, and accessories.

In my opinion, all the do-it-yourself pool fences are the same quality and are manufactured overseas. So paying more doesn’t mean you’re getting the best quality. However, all these fences are made and sold with the assumption that the fence is being installed into a concrete deck. The sleeves are only 3″ to 4″ long and do not work in other deck surfaces such as Pavers, Bricks, dirt or wood. In these surfaces, the sleeve just isn’t long enough. A paver deck sits on a bed of sand that’s either on a crushed rock surface or a dry mix of cement surface. In either case, the brick or paver is typically about 3″ long. So what that means is if you used the sleeves that the fence came with? It would only take a push or a wind gust to knock it down.

A pool fence only works if the foundation is strong. DIY fences also have no warranty to speak of and are considered a lower grade fence with low break strengths.

By the time you’re done with purchasing the DIY fence – the shipping, the accessories, the drill rental fee, the cost of the drill bits and your time installing the DIY fence will only save you between $100-$300 dollars. Considering this, isn’t it worth it to hire a professional who carries a warranty, has a better fence and can install properly into any surface you may have? Pool fences installed by professionals add up to the overall beauty of your pool.

Safety is the most important reason to buy a pool fence, however, you shouldn’t sacrifice aesthetics at all. Cheaper pool fences with low break strengths, bend easy and can make a pool look awful if the angles drilled aren’t drilled properly. Pool fences work on Bi-Lateral tension, meaning they rely on its own tension for its support. When making turns, you need to consider how hard the fence is pulling at that turning point and adjust your drilling angle accordingly.

Professional Installation

The next choice for a pool fence is to hire a professional. Now this can be very confusing. Every contractor says they carry the best product and they are the best installer in the whole wide world. Who do you believe?

You have to compare the prices. In New York, pool fences range from $16.00 per foot to $24.00 per foot installed. Why is there such a huge difference in price? What makes one better than the other? And if you buy the most expensive pool fence are you really purchasing the best? How is the contractor installing the fence? Is he using the right sleeves, latches, gates, mesh, etc.? After all we are buying this fence to protect our kids. It has to work and it has to last.

Types of Swimming Pool Poles

It is important to consider the poles that are used in the fence. There are many choices – hollow poles, X poles, Y poles, Fiberglass poles, Peg poles, I-beam poles, reinforced poles, etc. Every salesperson, I guarantee you, will all say that they have the strongest pole in the industry. It’s up to you to figure out who really does. After all, that salesperson is probably working on an 8-10% commission.

A typical pool fence in New York uses bout 105 linear feet of fence and a gate. The average price based on this would around $20.00 per foot and $450.00 for the gate, so total price would be $2,550.00. That means a salesperson would get a commission of around $230.00 for that sale. I think they’re going to tell you anything you want to hear.

Aluminum Poles

Basically, there are 2 choices for poles, both with variations on each. First, there are Aluminum poles with different extrusions (Peg pole, X-pole, Y pole, I-beam pole, Solid pole). It’s real easy to figure out which one works best. It’s pure logic, all aluminum is sold by weight. Aluminum is traded on the stock exchange by weight. Therefore, wouldn’t be logical to assume that the fence which has the most weight will be the strongest? If you took a twig and tried to snap it, wouldn’t it be fairly easy? But if you tried to snap a branch it would be harder.

The Pool Fence pole is the backbone of the mesh fence itself and must be strong. So clearly just by picking up a section of each salesperson’s samples, it would be clear which one is the strongest.

Fiberglass Poles

The second is Fiberglass poles, with different variations. One is the honeycomb fiberglass pole. And that’s just a thin layer of fiberglass surrounding a plastic honeycomb reinforcement. This pole to my knowledge is only carried by 2-3 manufacturers. It has the lowest break strength of all pool fence poles. And fiberglass poles break down over time, the screw holes that hold the mesh onto the pole cause hairline fractures that travel down the pole over time, due to the natural tension of the fence, the wind, children hitting, etc. So these poles actually split and fall apart over time.

Another fiberglass pole choice is thick walled hollow fiberglass pole reinforced with a 3″ solid fiberglass rod glued into it. It has the second highest break strength in the industry. However, much like its predecessor, it deteriorates overtime and cracks and splits.

Here is a link to a pool fence pole break strength comparison done by Life Saver Pool Fence. They had it tested by unbiased engineers and it really speaks for itself: http://www.poolfenceny.com/galleries/video-gallery/

Types of Pool Fence Latches

The next consideration in purchasing a pool fence is really the most obvious – one that keeps your child out of the fence. It is the latch which connects each section to the next section on an average pool of 105 linear feet with a gate. There is usually 9-10 latches used. The latch is what keeps a child out.

There are basically 3 types of latches that are most commonly used in the pool fence industry. First, there is the Hook and eye latch. These latches have been used to connect sections since 1965 when the first pool fence was introduced. I find it amazing that 90% of pool fence manufacturers still use this latch. Some sell it with a suitcase lock to lock the sections, however, they charge extra for that. And shouldn’t your pool fence be safe without using a lock. After all, what if you lose that little key? I have luggage that came with those little keys, but I don’t know where those keys are now. And how much is a new key? How long will it take to get one? Will the lock rust in weather conditions?

The second latch is basically a Toggle Bolt much like the ones you use in drywall in your house. The way this works is when you squeeze the toggle wings, you have to pass it through an enclosed eyelet. This latch was made to be safer than the hook and eye. And it does work. However, it gives the pool fence a very industrial look and isn’t aesthetically pleasing.

The third latch is called a Snap Latch. This latch doesn’t require a lock and can be opened by left or right handed adults and looks great. Here is a link to pool fence latches I made:

Mesh Pool Fences

Installing a mesh pool fence is a popular option if you are looking for a safety barrier that is cost-effective, versatile, durable, and stylish. They are fully removable and convenient, recommended for residential properties. However, we need to decide on which mesh is the best and the most see through. There are really only 2 choices used in the pool fence industry. First there is the 6-8 mil Lino weave mesh. Basically, its wider woven mesh and the claim is that it’s the most transparent and the strongest. The next mesh is the 12-12 mil Textilene mesh – a tighter woven mesh with a claim that it’s more see-through than any other. Textilene mesh is available in different colors. When choosing which color, bear in mind that some colors may appear to be more transparent than others. Choose a color that will provide a better view of the other side of the mesh. The truth is they are both good and see-through. Let’s face it when you look through the window in your home you’re looking through a 20-20 mil mesh and you never notice the screen. The difference between these 2 meshes is simple. The Wider woven mesh will wrinkle and stretch easier. If you have patio chairs and the seat is made of mesh, you’ll notice it’s a tightly woven mesh. This is done purposely so that when you sit down it will not sag. The same thing happens with pool fence mesh. And the more sags it has, the more noticeable it is.

Selecting The Best Pool Gates

The gate that comes with the fence is also very important. This is the part of the fence that is most frequented. It has to be strong and the locking mechanism needs to be mounted high out of a child’s reach. If it’s not then it is useless. Weaker gates are generally made of thinner aluminum frames and only rely on one upright to create tension. These types of gates are easy to spot because the locking mechanism is located in the middle of the gate where a child can reach it. A double truss gate is generally made of a thicker aluminum stock and the double uprights on each side double the strength, and the locking mechanism can be located at least 6″ higher than the fence, where a child won’t be able to reach it. The pricing of pool gates ranges from $325.00 to $500.00 and in most cases you actually get what you pay for.

Additional Layers of Pool Protection

When planning to install a swimming pool or pool barriers, it is important that you consult your local municipality for codes and regulations as well as zoning requirements. Aside from installing the best pool fences, here are other things you can do which will add layers of pool protection:

– Install a rigid and powered safety cover.
– Install swimming pool alarms that produce an audible warning and capable of being heard throughout the house.
– Keep rescue equipment and inflatable flotations devices handy, like life savers and life vests.
– Provide active adult supervision, especially if there are smaller kids.
– Teach kids how to swim.

I hope this helps in your decision-making process. For more information, get in touch with us at (516) 766-5336.

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On October 29th 2012, Hurricane Sandy swept across New York with winds of at least 75 miles per hour. This hurricane left a path of destruction to many people. After the storm, there were many fences that were swept away and damaged. When we were out to fix damaged fences that customers had, we found out that the fences were made with poles that have an average break strength and pressure of between 40-60 lbs. These poles had been broken and were rendered useless. However, those customers who chose the Life Saver Pool Fence Heavy Gauge model, with a break strength that exceeds 100 lbs. of pressure, did not break.

A mesh pool fence works on bi-lateral tension, meaning it creates its own tension from its opposing sides. Therefore, the fence is already by itself under constant duress. So the question is, can your child break a pole that has a break strength of between 40-60 lbs.? The answer is yes they can, and that’s why most pool fence companies sell and charge for replacement poles.

Fiberglass poles sound strong and there are claims that they are unbreakable. The truth is every pole is breakable, but at what point do they break? If you have a pool fence and a pole breaks, there is a very good chance a child could lift the mesh and crawl under because there is a 6′ span between poles, not a 3′ span. A fiberglass pole will split and deteriorate over time causing the pole to lose its strength over a course of a few years.

Which pole you pick is very important to both the safety and the look of your pool fence. Weaker poles and fiberglass poles both bend very easily. A bent pole at corner may not be unsafe, but making an investment in a pool fence that doesn’t look good also affects how your backyard will look. A stronger pool fence pole will not only keep your children safer but it will also keep your fence looking great for as long as you need it.

You may have a few children of different ages, and as they get older they get bigger and stronger. A fence that worked well for you when you just had 1 child may not work well when there are 2 or 4 of them. They grow up, they give the fence more abuse. Your fence should be able to handle it. You may end up with a 10 year old, a 6 year old, and now a 2 year old, your fence will get plenty of abuse. If a pole breaks, who’s going to pay for it, you or the person who told you had a Lifetime Warranty? Always know what you’re getting not just today, but 8 or 12 or even 20 years later.

Watch our video to learn Life Saver pool fence poles’ strength:

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