Stay safe: follow these pool security guidelines so you can concentrate on kicking back, not falling in

By Lauren Blankstein Courtesy Canadian House & Home

If you think making your pool area safe means compromising the design of your backyard oasis, think again. There are plenty of ways to stay safe while maintaining, and even improving, the aesthetics of your yard.

The most effective way to prevent pool accidents is by installing fencing around the pool. The key with fences is to make them disappear by integrating them visually into the yard. "Keep fences simple," says Mark Hartley, a Toronto landscape architect. "If they're too ornate, they draw attention, rather than letting you focus on the rest of the yard." Black metal fences blend into the landscape well, as do those fitted with tempered-glass or Plexiglas panels, Toronto landscape architect Michael Presutti says. A fence that has bends and curves provides interesting niches for planters, or even an eating area.

If you have a fenced-in yard but want extra security around the pool, Toronto landscape architect Thomas Sparling suggests building a pool fence with two very wide gates that can swing open onto a terrace or garden. A large opening like this enables you to link the pool area to the rest of the yard when entertaining. Close the gates, and the area is safe for small children. For those who don't want to commit to a permanent structure, there are removable mesh fences on the market that can be easily set up when children are around the pool. These are not a substitute for permanent fencing, but they add extra security in an already-fenced yard.

Strategic planting can be used to disguise fencing, as long as the plant and landscaping materials are not easily climbable. A semi-evergreen vine like Baltic ivy will soften the severe lines of bare metal year-round. Another option is to place the fence within a flower bed, so there's greenery on both sides, visually bridging the two areas.

Too much camouflage can be a hazard, however. "The homeowner is the pool's lifeguard, so surveillance is very important," says Ron Rule of Ron Rule Consultants in Vancouver. The pool should be clearly visible from the patio or deck, key spots inside the house and elsewhere in the yard. To maintain a lushness and sense of enclosure without obstructing views of the pool, try planting low, large-leaf plants like banana plants and ferns around the edge of the pool and using taller leafy hedges and trees around the yard's perimeter, Rule suggests.

Automatic covers, which can be custom made to fit any shape of pool, are a more discreet security measure. While not as practical as a fence if you're in and out of the pool all day, they are easy to use: with the turn of a key, the cover slides closed along its track and seals off the pool completely. Automatic covers are not made for winter use, however. The best way to safely winterize a pool, whether you have a fence or not, is to install a high-tension mesh cover that fastens snugly over the pool. Purportedly strong enough to hold a small elephant, they can also be made to fit any pool.

fencing basics

* According to most municipal bylaws in Canada, if you have a pool, you must also have a fence, either surrounding the perimeter of the yard or directly around the pool.

* Bylaws also dictate details regarding the type and height of fence required. Laws vary by city; in Toronto and Vancouver, yards with pools require a secure fence at least four feet high with a self-closing latched gate.

* Always check local laws before installing a fence.

It's in the details

For added safety around the pool, take these precautions as well.

DO ...

* use non-slip paving materials such as poured concrete, limestone, flame-finished granite and natural flagstone; steer clear of polished granite and treated wood

* make sure all doors from the house into the yard are self-closing and have safety latches

* keep fences and gates in working order

* use low-voltage lighting around the pool to minimize the chance of electrical Shocks

DON'T ...

* install a diving board (these can be a serious hazard)

* make the pool's interior colour too dark, which can hinder depth perception, or line the pool with murals and mosaics, which can impede your view into the water