What may seem like a small amount of water can in fact be deadly to a small child. With water features such as ponds and swimming pools becoming more popular among homeowners, it is important to be aware of the safety features that are available on the market today.

Children can not only drown in mere inches of water, they can also drown quickly and quietly. Chances are, in the time it takes for you to notice that the child is missing, that child is already in serious trouble. In order to keep the family swimming pool from becoming a dangerous addition to your home, you need to create a barrier that will keep both kids and pets away from the water.

Most homeowners opt to install fencing that surrounds the pool, with a gate as an access point. It is imperative that the gate you choose is self-closing and self-latching. Being in a hurry and forgetting to close the pool gate one time can lead to terrible consequences, so purchase a gate system that will reduce the possibility of human error. Also make sure that the latch is high enough that kids can't reach it.

When selecting a fence, you need it to be strong enough to withstand kids playing near it and possibly banging into it. Make sure your fence is tall, and stay away from chain link fences, as they are easy to climb. One of the most popular fencing choices these days is mesh fencing. These fences are extremely durable, and kids aren't able to climb them like chain link. An added benefit to mesh fencing is that it is available in several colors and is fairly see-through, which means that all your hard work creating a beautiful swimming area will not go to waste.

Many of the mesh fences on the market today are also removable, which is perfect for hosting events where children will not be present. This feature is especially helpful when selling your home, as you can show off your home during open houses without obstructing any part of your property.

An alternative to traditional fencing is a pool net. Netting just covers the surface area of the pool, but unlike traditional pool covers, nets can be fitted to any shape of pool or pond. Pool netting is perhaps the best choice on the market today in terms of safety barriers. They are strong, flexible, and are the least visually intrusive. They are much safer as well because children often play on top of standard pool covers and can fall into the water if the cover is old or poorly made. Pool covers also accumulate rain water, which poses a safety hazard in itself.

If you decide to buy a home with a pool or pond, think about your children or the children in the neighborhood, and take the necessary steps to make your backyard a safe one.

PorchLight Real Estate Group combines local market knowledge with cutting edge marketing skills. For more information on Denver CO real estate or to do a search for Park Hill South real estate, visit us online at PorchLightGroup.com.