Neighbor's pool

These tragic posts about toddlers/infants who have drowned, made me think twice yesterday.

We have a neighbor in back of us who has a very large pool. Now, granted, they also have a white picket fence running the entire scope of their backyard - it's about 3 feet high, and the slats are such that you can't fit in between them.

I'm not so worried now - I'm an overprotective parent who literally HOVERS over my daughter - she doesn't go anywhere without me two steps behind.

But, as she gets older, it's obviously a concern. Other than signing her up for swim classes, what else can I do as a precautionary measure?

Re: Neighbor's pool

Wow! That's a tough one. I would teach her that she should never go into a pool, lake, swimming, anything without an adult present. Maybe say something to your neighbor just to keep his eye out (assuming his fence is secure enough). As she gets older, a 3foot fence won't keep her out. Maybe talk to him about putting up a taller fence. You guys could split the cost. Or put up a fence on your own property.

Re: Neighbor's pool

Definately start talking to her now about pool safety (always have to have mom or dad with you, no fooling around near a pool, etc) and I'd definately talk to them about the fence. Maybe first check your town's regulations. Here a 3' fence is not tall enough around a pool.

And not to totally freak you out, but there was a toddler out in Suffolk this summer who loved to swim, and while his parents were alseep he climbed up on his dresser, out the window, across a few lawns to get to a neighbor's house with a pool, climbed their tall fence and drowned. That child was very determined to get to the pool, and his parents thought his room was totally baby proof, and the neighbor had installed a really tall fence to try to keep kids out. Maybe you can find that story on Newsday and use that as ammo when talking about the fence with the neighbor.

Re: Neighbor's pool

I grew up on the water so going in unattended was always a concern. From as early as I remember, I was in swimming lessons and one of the things that a good instructor should be drilling in their little heads is the "buddy system" and never to swim alone. I think teaching them and making them as informed as possible is the best you can do. You could also put up a fence but she can still find a way over it.

Re: Neighbor's pool

I'm very seriously considering enrolling Marron in the classes on the childdrowningprevention.com website. The closest one to here is White Plains, but it just may be worth it. For now, I'm looking into Safety Swim, but if I don't think that is enough, we'll be going to White Plains.

Re: Neighbor's pool

Re: Neighbor's pool

I can't add anything else as far as suggestions then what the other posters all ready stated but, I think it should be mandatory for their to a fence around a pool and not just the property.
We have an IGP and there is a 4 ft fence around it and then we also have a 6ft fence around the entire property. My DH's partner at work doesnt have that and we went to a party recently and a little girl was walking by and fell in the pool (the deep side) and the person she was walking with got her out another child. Plus they hired a life gaurd. The girl did know how to swim but I think children get fluster easliy when they caught off gaurd like she was.

The only other thing that came to mind is maybe splitting the cost of a pool alarm with your neighbore.

Re: Neighbor's pool

IMO a 3 foot high fence is not high enough. I would be putting up a 6 foot high fence between my property and theirs.

Re: Neighbor's pool

It's one of my biggest fears. I would install my own fence & do the swimming lessons. I can't imagine that a fence like you're describing is to code.

We also started out with water safety at an early age. There's a book called Stewie the Duck Learns to Swim. It goes over the water safety rules, etc.

Stew Leonard (yes the owner) lost his 2 year old son to drowning 16 years ago. He & his wife started a foundation that promotes water safety.

http://www.stewleonards.com/water_safety/home.cfm

Re: Neighbor's pool

Re: Neighbor's pool

This is so frustrating - I've been searching for the last hour for our township requirements on fencing for a pool and can't find a damn thing!

I want to make sure (1) the fence they installed is up to code, and (2) if not, to whom I should report it to. If their fence isn't up to code, then they should be paying for it, particularly because there are 3 families with young children whose backyard abuts with theirs.

Re: Neighbor's pool

Posted by Bxgell2

This is so frustrating - I've been searching for the last hour for our township requirements on fencing for a pool and can't find a damn thing!

I want to make sure (1) the fence they installed is up to code, and (2) if not, to whom I should report it to. If their fence isn't up to code, then they should be paying for it, particularly because there are 3 families with young children whose backyard abuts with theirs.

Re: Neighbor's pool

I just emailed the township zoning officer, building and inspections office, director of engineering and assistant, asking what are the fencing requirements for an in-ground pool.

If it turns out the fence is in violation, then I guess I'll have to ask where to direct code violations.

I think that's the best avenue because it's anonymous