Registered User
unfenced pool
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?
Registered User
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 ...
Registered User
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.
Registered User
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.
2013 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.
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.
Registered User
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.
Registered User
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.
Registered User
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.
Registered User
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
Registered User
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
Registered User
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.
BellyBelly Life Subscriber
It may be worth seeing if she can get council assistance to get the pool fenced. I know in some areas, the elderly have access to assistance from local councils for repairs etc. It may apply to the pool fencing. I'd definately talk to her about it first and see what she thinks.
Registered User
Further to what Lime said, you can also get 'pool nets' that are the same kind of thing, and fairly affordable
Registered User
We have the exact same problem as you... DD's grandma has a pool with no fence... i was sure it was illegal aswell but she said seen she has no kids in the house and its on a property of land and she has those safety doors (where they close by themself and cant be opened by children) the counsil said it was ok for them not to have a fence
DD has only been there once and we never let DD out of our sights... she was only 2 at the time and couldnt swim..
Its a tricky situation but maybe when u do go over there dont let your child out of your sight and maybe stay inside???
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