Safer pool fencing laws
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| Pools should have four-sided fencing with a self-closing, self-latching gate. |
Issue
Drowning is the second leading cause of injury-related death to Canadian children. Swimming pools are the site of nearly half of all drowning and near-drowning incidents for children 14 years of age and under.
Problem: current legislative status
Pools without proper fencing are a particular hazard for children under five years of age. In most places in Canada, safer pool fencing is not yet required. For more information, please see our Pool fencing legislation chart .
Researchers estimate that safer pool fencing could prevent seven out of 10 drowning incidents in home swimming pools for children under five years of age.
Solution: safer pool fencing
Safer pool fencing consists of a minimum 1.2 m (4 ft) high, four-sided pool fence with a self-closing and self-latching gate that regulates all access points. Municipalities should enact safer pool fencing by-laws for homes with pools. Provincial and territorial jurisdictions should support municipal efforts and establish province-wide safer pool fencing laws.
Supporters of safer pool fencing (pdf)
For more information on safer pool fencing please see:
- Safe Kids Canada's Position Statement on safer pool fencing (pdf)
- Safe Kids Canada's key messages - fact sheet on safer pool fencing (pdf)
- For more topic-based and education information, please see drowning prevention
Call to action
Government can help create safer environments within their communities.
Municipal governments across Canada can save lives by enacting and enforcing safer pool fencing by-laws and by providing education about safer pool fencing. Safer fencing should:
- completely enclose the pool on all four sides
- be of minimum height of 1.2 m (4 ft)
- cover all types of pools (inflatable, above-ground, etc.)
- have a self-closing and self-latching gate
- be designed to deter young children from climbing
For more information, see our safer pool fencing: key features (pdf)
Provincial governments should support municipalities and enact legislation outlining minimum standards for safer pool fencing. Provincial legislation will not only establish minimum pool safety standards, it will also harmonize safer pool fencing legislation across the province.
Bill 18 - The Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (pdf - french only)
What you can do
Take action to prevent drowning.
Tools and templates
- Pool fencing legislation chart (pdf)
- Safe Kids Canada's key messages - fact sheet on safer pool fencing (pdf)
- Four-sided fencing around home pools - matte story (pdf)
- Pool fencing: Template position statement (doc)
- Pool fencing: Template letter of support (doc)
- Pool fencing: Petition form (doc)
- Pool fencing: Frequently asked questions (pdf)
- Pool fencing : Model resolution (doc)
- Model pool fencing by-law (doc)
- Pool fencing diagrams (pdf)
- Pamphlet - Does your fence comply? (doc)
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