Safer Pool Fencing Laws
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Safer Pool Fencing Laws
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Safer Pool Fencing Laws

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 age 14 and under.

Safe Kids Canada's Key Messages - Fact sheet on Safer Pool Fencing (pdf)

Problem - Current Legislative Status
Pools without proper fencing are a particular hazard for children under age five. In most places in Canada, safer pool fencing is not yet required.
For more information, please see our Pool Fencing Legislation Chart (pdf)

Researchers estimate that safer pool fencing could prevent seven out of 10 drowning incidents in home swimming pools for children under age five.

Solution - Safer Pool Fencing
Safer pool fencing consists of a minimum 1.2 m (4 ft) high, four-sided pool fence with 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 should support municipal efforts municipal and establishing province-wide safer pool fencing laws.

Supporters of Safer Pool Fencing (pdf)

For more information on safer pool fencing please see:

For more information please contact Government Relations and Policy staff at 1-888-SAFE-TIP (723-3847) or email us at safekids.web@sickkids.ca.
Call to Action
What You Can Do
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; and
  • 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)

Take action to prevent drowning:

Resources:

Tools and Templates

 
 
Page published on 2009-02-13
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The Hospital for Sick Children
The Hospital for Sick Children is a health care, teaching and research centre
dedicated exclusively to children; affiliated with the University of Toronto

Safe Kids Canada is the national injury prevention program of The Hospital for Sick Children.

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