unfenced pool

[aimz78]

Where would you draw the line? My Grandmother has an unfenced pool (yes, fairly rare these days).
I am currently having a dilemma as I have a 2 year old.
Some family members say I should not take her there for visits due to the drowning risk.It is a bit tricky for her to meet me elsewhere as she has limited mobility.
I plan to speak to her and suggest they install one but I think that is unlikely. What would you do?

[Kazbah]

The safety of our toddler comes first ... you could go visit, and in winter it's easy to keep all the doors closed. But come summer, and as your toddler gets older, it will be more & more difficult to keep away from the water. Is there any assistance your grandmother can get to get the pool fenced? It's sorta illegal now I think ... so if the family is considering her moving etc then it will prolly need to be done before the house gets sold, so may as well do it now ...

[spooky]

I was under the impression that this was illegal? I might be wrong, but I only know of one person who has an unfenced pool (in a backyard with 7ft fencing all around the boundry other than the house) , and they had to install doors from the house that were impossible to hold or wedge open - child proof to open as well...

Cost them a gazillion dollars for the doors just for the "look" of an unfenced pool in a small backyard ,what a waste of time and money - JMO of course.

I would NEVER take my children there either, fancy doors or not.

[AliBaby]

Definitely illegal in Sydney. You can do an anonymous report to council. They wont fine her but they will give her a time period to get a fence.

[Indadhanu]

I think its illegal in most local council laws to have an inground pool or an above ground pool of a certain depth unfenced.

I don't know if I'd go... it only takes a short time for a child to drown, no matter how well supervised accidents happen and I'd never forgive yourself if something happened. That said, if its easy and safe to lock all backyard access doors, then I don't see why not.

[ss_storm]

I'm pretty sure it is illegal to have an unfenced pool, maybe check with your local council about the regulations in your area.

If you did take her there you would have to make sure all the doors outside are locked and she can't get out, and/or keep your eyes on her at all times, but I'm sure that's no easy task with a toddler! IMO it wouldn't be worth the risk of taking your DD there...how many times do you hear of toddler's drowning in backyard pools...far better just to avoid the possibility.

If you wanted to force the issue of installing a fence then report the pool to the council, they'll come out and do an inspection and as the conditions won't be satisfactory (i.e. no fence) they'll be required to install one or face fines for not having a fenced pool. It's not only for the safety of people visiting her, but what if a child (or even a dog..it does happen!) happened to get into her yard and into the pool.

[~Raven~]

I was under the impression that this was illegal? I might be wrong, but I only know of one person who has an unfenced pool (in a backyard with 7ft fencing all around the boundry other than the house) , and they had to install doors from the house that were impossible to hold or wedge open - child proof to open as well...

Cost them a gazillion dollars for the doors just for the "look" of an unfenced pool in a small backyard ,what a waste of time and money - JMO of course.

I would NEVER take my children there either, fancy doors or not.

It isn't illegal to have an unfenced pool in Vic if several other mandatory things are in place such as the doors must be self closing and locking, window can only open 25cm's and the backyard boundary fences are unable to be climbed over from the neighbours property among other things I can't remember right now. I know this because a good friend of mine recently had a new pool built without a fence and has done all this stuff. I don't like it at all TBH!

I'd go visit but never let her out of your site and never in the backyard. That's what I do with my friend

[Diamond Girl]

We have a properly fenced pool at our house and I still worry about it. Both kids just seem drawn to the water and they love the pool. I sometimes go into the pool area and they tailgate me to get in. Once in they walk around the pool without a care in the world and I am not proud to say the 3yo did fall in once, but I was right there with him so I was able to fish him out easily. I never let my kids play in the backyard unattended because Im still scared they will somehow work out a way to open the gate (even though they are both under 4, LOL).

Should you take the children to your grandmothers? I would say yes, if and only if the doors are locked and you have checked to make sure they definantly are locked. You need to also ensure your children cannot access the backyard through other means, ie through windows, and you should keep a close eye on them too. If there are going to be older children there who can open the doors or work out how to unlock them, then there is no way I would risk taking my children there.

Its a hard one, but knowing just how quickly a child can drown would be my priority. That being said, if you can guarantee the children cannot access the backyard, then I think it would be fine to take them.

[Roryrory]

I personally don't see the problem - just don't let her out of your sight. Chances are if your grandmother is anything like my DH's grandmother with limited mobility, she lives in the kind of house where you wouldn't do so anyway (I mean, with all the little doilies and knick knacks grandmothers seem to have lying around - plus if she's unstable on her feet I assume you would hardly let a 2 year old run around on her own). If she had a nutty dog in the backyard, you'd probably still visit, but just not let your daughter out the back, right? Well I think the same should apply to a pool. Yes kids can drown quickly, but only if someone isn't eyeballing them 24/7. I have never heard of a child drowning while they were being actively watched as opposed to hanging around a bunch of adults at a party or BBQ or something.

[sunshine_sieben]

I totally agree with Roryrory.
I personally would never let a 2 year old out of sight in a house that is not baby-proofed, anyway. I mean, there are other things that are very dangerous for toddlers, not just pools. Cleaning supplies, nick-nacks, toilet brushes, etc. not to mention the damage a 2yo can cause in a very short space of time...
So I'd still go to her house but just make sure that I watch my child closely at all times.
Yes, pools are dangerous and they should be fenced, but I personally think that making an anonimous report is going a bit too far, no offence. IF you really want her to install a fence, then talk to her, tell her your reasons and let her know that you don't feel safe there and won't bring your child until she has a fence.
JMHO

[feeb]

I would go and visit but NEVER let child out of your site and not outside.

I think being responsible and careful would be adequate its not liek you will be there in a big group for a party and get side tracked you will be there to visit and spend time together.

[krysalyss]

I consider it that same as the property that I live on that has an unfenced dam. DS (3) is not allowed outside of the house by himself and we know where he is at all times. I would still go though as I see it as preventable as I assume she has doors in her house. I have seen kids open those pool fences so think that if you rely totally on that anyway it is risky.

[Lolli]

Agreeing with Rory. And, after all, she's you Gran, and a pool fence is massive cost if you're on a fixed income (making sweeping generalisations here). Just make sure the doors are locked while you're there, and your little one is in your sight all the time.

[sunshine_sieben]

Krysalyss, good point about fences not neccesarily holding kids back. My almost 3 year old would possibly succeed at climbing it...
But it gives you a bit of freedom as it takes them longer to get over the fence as it would take them to fall into an unfenced pool.
Locked doors are way more secure than a pool fence IMO.
In summer, you could even take cozzies and take DD for a swim in your nan's pool. After the swim, go inside, lock the doors and catch up with your nan.

[YoYo]

Living in Singapore I am surrounded by pools in our condo. I NEVER EVER let DS outside alone....but i wouldn't NOT let him outside just because of the pool. I'm with RoryRory and the others, you have to actively watch a toddler. If you are visiting your Gran, then you may possibly be inside sipping tea anyway, so you lock the doors and take a few toys to keep her occupied. Why let your toddler miss out on a visit somewhere just because of an unfenced pool.

My DS doesn't go anywhere near the pool at our condo unless we are with him going for a swim. He is around it every day and knows. When something is a novelty, then of course they are going to be more curious and want to get into it (like teen binge drinking!!), but if you expose children not only to what they can, but what they can't do, then they are going to learn right from wrong and what is expected of them.

I've heard of kids getting into fenced pool areas anyway....plus there are many many things that toddlers can get into.....like pulling a glass vase or hot drink off a table!

Make your Gran happy....go for a vist with your DD I say

[LimeSlice]

I agree also with Rory and other posters.

Just out of interest though - can your DD swim? Perhaps it is time to teach her.

Also, you can get HARD pool covers that go over the entire pool (looks like a little greenhouse dome lol) - so no risk of falling in and drowning due to the cover, and they cannot be moved by littlies. Since it is winter, this may be an option much cheaper to fencing that you could consider. (Will also prevent evaporation and keep her pool free from debris making her life easier )

GL

[*Ali*]

I understand how you feel about this- my FIL has an unfenced pool but because he has all the other safety measures in place that Raven mentioned it is not illegal. I find it a really stressful time when we are there, I dont worry so much when it is just DH and I visiting, because we watch the kids like a hawk, and they are getting really good at staying away from the edge, but still they are not allowed outside without someone watching them. I get most stressed when there are lots of people there, because you think that everybody is watching, when the case is usually no one is. So I find big family get togethers stressful and tiring- but we still make the effort to go, and my BIL & SIL are really good at taking there turn at watching the kids, but I still wish everyday there was a better fence just for a bit more peace of mind.

[sunshine_sieben]

Oh, come to think of it, my FIL has an unfenced pool, I forgot about that. But they have the self-closing doors that are usually locked with a key. They even had an unfenced canal on the other side, but have installed a fence there so they can go outside with DD. DD is never outside without supervision and my in-laws are pretty paranoid. When there are more people around and we're near the pool, she wears floatation devices JIC, but is usually hyper-supervised anyway.
I doubt things would be any different if there was a fence. I don't even let her into our yard unsupervised - and there's no pool.