Having a swimming pool at home is a luxury many people dream of. Those who are lucky enough to own one or are thinking of getting one, no matter how big or how small, should understand the importance of pool fencing. There are actually a few reasons it is so important, many of which have to do with the safety of others. However, it doesn’t stop there. Keeping family members and animals in mind is the first priority, and for good reason. More than a million people located throughout the world die each year due to drowning in a swimming pool, according to the International Lifesaving Federation.

Many cases could have been prevented if pool fencing was installed at the time of the accident, but it is never too late to put a fence in to protect your family. Young children are not the only ones who are at risk when it comes to drowning in a pool. Cats, dogs and other animals could also easily drown at any time. In fact, pool fencing is effective at keeping children and animals away from a swimming pool when there is no supervision. The fencing does not even have to be high in order to get the job done; a small three foot fence should do the trick.

When it comes to what kind of pool fencing to install, it really comes down to personal taste. You can choose a smaller, wrought iron fence to surround the pool or you might opt for a glass pool fence. There are plenty of styles offered in multiple price ranges, so the options are limitless. Even above ground pools should have fencing around them, as they are just as dangerous as the more permanent versions.

Just keep in mind that if the pool is not in the ground and there is a chance that you will be moving it or taking it down sometime in the future, you might want to consider purchasing less permanent pool fencing. This way, you can just as easily take down the fence and move it or sell it when the time comes.

In the end, coming up with a plan to make your swimming pool safe for everyone is essential in responsible ownership and it should not be overlooked, even for smaller swimming pool sizes.