Baby & Child Safety Pool Fences in St. George

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If you have a baby, a toddler or grandkids who visit, the pool is the biggest safety concern in the yard. Drowning is fast and quiet. It usually doesn't look like the splashing and yelling people expect. A good pool fence is one of the most effective ways to protect young children, because it stops a curious toddler from reaching the water during the minute nobody is looking.

The numbers for Southern Utah

According to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services' Violence and Injury Prevention Program (Drowning in Utah fact sheet):

• 51% of Utah children who drowned were toddlers aged 1 to 4.
• 56% of child drownings happened in the summer months, June through August.
• Children in the southwest Utah health district, which includes Washington and Iron counties, are about twice as likely to drown as children in other parts of Utah.

The same fact sheet recommends enclosing pools and hot tubs with gates that self-close and lock. With this many backyard pools in St. George, that advice matters here more than almost anywhere in the state.

Layers of protection

No single step is perfect, so safety experts recommend layers. If one fails, the next one buys time:

1. Supervision. Assign a "water watcher," an adult who watches the pool with no phone and no distractions, then hands off to another adult.
2. A pool fence on all four sides with a self-closing, self-latching gate. A fence that separates the pool from the house is much safer than relying on a yard fence.
3. Door and gate alarms on any door that opens toward the pool.
4. A safety cover for hot tubs and for pools in the off-season.
5. Swim lessons and CPR. Lessons help kids, and CPR training helps the adults around them.

Why mesh is a favorite with parents

A removable mesh pool fence is popular with families of young children for good reasons. The tight mesh has no footholds, so it's hard for small kids to climb. It's see-through, so you can watch the pool from inside. It's usually the lowest-cost option, and it can come out when the kids are older. Aluminum and glass fences work well too when they're designed with narrow openings and no horizontal rails a child can climb.

Child safety checklist for your pool fence

• The fence is tall enough. St. George's pool permit checklist calls for at least 60 inches (5 ft) on the outside.
• The gap under the fence is no more than about 2 inches.
• Nothing a child could climb, like chairs, planters, grills or AC units, sits next to the fence.
• The gate swings away from the pool, closes on its own from any position and latches every time.
• The latch is high enough that small children can't reach it.
• Toys are put away outside the fence so kids aren't tempted to go after them.
• The gate is never propped open, even during parties.

See our self-closing pool gates page for gate options and our pool fence code guide for the full list of requirements.

Grandparents and visitors

Many St. George pool owners are grandparents whose grandkids visit for a few weeks in summer. A removable fence that goes up before the visit and comes down after is a common, affordable answer. If you rent your home out, our vacation rental page covers guest families.

Prices depend mainly on fence length and material. See the cost guide for typical ranges, or request a free quote below.

Frequently asked questions

What age is most at risk of drowning?

Utah health data shows 51% of Utah children who drowned were toddlers aged 1 to 4.

Can a toddler climb a mesh pool fence?

Mesh pool fences are designed to have no footholds and are hard for small children to climb. Keep furniture and other objects away from the fence so they can't be used as a step.

Is a pool fence enough on its own?

No. A fence is one layer. Combine it with active supervision, door alarms, covers, swim lessons and CPR training.

Does the fence have to be on all four sides?

Safety experts recommend a fence that fully separates the pool from the house and yard, rather than using the house as one side.