Is Your Pool Area Secure? Use This Handy Checklist to Verify the Safety of Your Pool Barriers

When it comes to pool safety, enclosing your pool area with fences and gates is just the first step. For residential and commercial properties alike, periodically checking pool barriers to ensure that they are in safe condition—and making any repairs or replacements necessary—is an essential way to minimize the risk of drowning.

Have you inspected your pool barriers recently? If not, the following quick and handy checklist will help ensure that your fences and gates are ready to fulfill their most important function: preventing unauthorized access to the pool area. 

• Do the pool gates close on their own? Many tragic drownings occur when a child wanders unsupervised into a pool area through a gate that was left propped open—either intentionally or unintentionally. As a result, Arizona law requires pool gates to be self-closing.
• Are the gates’ latching mechanisms functioning properly? Arizona law also requires pool gates to have self-latching mechanisms located at least 54 inches above the ground. If you notice that your pool gates’ hinges or latching mechanisms are not functioning properly, it is essential to have them repaired or replaced in order to prevent children and pets from entering the pool area without supervision. 
• Is there any rust on the fences or gates? Rust is a common problem with outdoor fixtures, as they are exposed to rain, water from sprinklers, and other conditions. However, if your pool barriers are beginning to rust, they may become worn down and less durable than they need to be (besides, rust is an eyesore that can impair the beauty of your pool area!). At DCS Pool Barriers, we can repair or replace your rusted fixtures using galvanized wrought iron, which is sealed with a zinc coating to protect against rust and other forms of deterioration. All of our galvanized wrought iron products carry a ten-year warranty.
• Is the fence firmly anchored in the ground? Fence posts should not be loose, and there should be no gaps between the fence and the ground through which a small child could enter the pool area.
• Is the fence tall enough? In addition to placing requirements on pool gates, Arizona law stipulates that pool fences should be at least five feet tall. 
• Are there any gaps in the fence? The fence should completely enclose the pool area, and there should be no gaps between the pickets through which an object four inches or more in diameter could pass. 

If an inspection of your pool fences and gates reveals that any components are in subpar condition, contact the professionals at DCS Pool Barriers! With over 16 years of experience working with both commercial and residential properties, we can help you determine if your pool barriers need to be repaired or replaced. When creating new fixtures, we offer premium-grade, galvanized wrought iron to ensure that your fences and gates will remain in a safe and beautiful condition for years to come. Call us today at 623-825-7700 to request a free estimate!