CHILD SAFETY DROWNING PREVENTION
AQUAFENCE fences comply with the new Quebec government regulation adopted on May 20th, 2021, regarding the safety of residential outdoor pools. However, the customer should not consider its removability.
It is the customer’s responsibility to check with their municipality to ensure that it accepts the AQUAFENCE product. Residential pools, whether above-ground, in-ground, semi-in-ground, or even portable, pose a significant drowning risk for young children, especially when they escape adult supervision and the installations are not adequately secured.
END OF ACQUIRED RIGHTS FOR SWIMMING POOL BUILT BEFORE NOVEMBER 1st 2010.
In response to a recommendation made by several coroners, in recent years, the Settlement of the Acquired Rights has been modified and will now apply to all swimming pools, regardless of the installation date.
September 30, 2025, is the date to which the enforcement of the residential pool regulations has been postponed.
2021 MUNICIPALITY GUIDE
MODIFICATION TO THE REGULATIONS
RESIDENTIAL POOL REGULATIONS IN QUEBEC
- It is the responsibility of the consumer to refer to his municipality to find out all the local rules in force.
- Be 1.2 m height (4 feet)
- Prevent the passage of a round object 10 cm in diameter between each post
- Make it impossible to climb from the outside, cannot cling to or rest their hands and feet on it
- Have a gate equipped with an automatic self-closing system, which can be opened only by adults and not by children
- It can be a fence of regulatory design or a wall of the residence, but not a hedge or shrubs
- Note that hedge or shrub do not constitute an enclosure
WATER SAFETY FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
It is important to know that drowning is the second cause of death for children under the age of 5. Children can drown in as less as 4 cm (1½ inch) of water, in other words, when there is enough water to cover the mouth and the nose.
Many of these tragedies occur in private pools and almost always in pools without any fencing or any automatic «self-lock» gate.
- For the families, swimming courses represent an excellent opportunity to participate in a fun activity for a healthy way of living. But by themselves they do not protect children and will not prevent them from drowning.
- All children should be supervised by an adult when in or near water and should never be left alone in a pool or a bath even for a moment.
- The Lifesaving Society recommends a supervision ratio of at least 1 adult to 2 young children and 1 adult to infant.
- The fence surrounding a private pool must prevent the direct access to it from the house.
- The pool gate must be self-latching and automatically self-closing. The automatic closure must be placed high enough that only an adult can open it.
- Teach children good behavior. Even toddlers can learn basic water safety rules.
- Never leave climbing toys near the pool.
- Do not dive! Most of the backyard pools are not deep enough to safely dive into.
- Do not run or push people around the pool.
- People who cannot swim well or cannot swim at all experienced should wear a life jacket or a personal flotation device (PFD) but this measure does not replace the supervision of an adult swimmer or lifeguard.
- Bring your children with you if you must leave the pool for any reason.
- Keep the AquaFence securely installed at all times and make sure to check that the gate is properly closed.
- Remember that the lifesaving equipment for the child is you!
CHILD SAFETY DROWNING PREVENTION
The private pool is a wonderful source of activity and enjoyment. It also poses a serious risk for diseases, injury and even death. According to the Canadian Red Cross Society, drowning is one of the leading causes of deaths for Canadian children under the age of five. Unattended toddlers are especially at risk because they are mobile, very curious and the least capable to self-rescue of any age group. Whether it is at the cottage, campsite or in the backyard pool, drowning can happen in a matter of seconds.
FENCE BYLAWS OF ONTARIO
In general, an enclosure must have a minimum height of 1.2 metres (4 ft ), must completely enclose all four sides of the swimming pool, except a 1.5 metres (5 ft) high self closing lockable gate(s) for access. Please note the specific requirements will depend on the design of the pool, location, etc.
Residential Swimming Pools and Fence Information
Construction of swimming pool and fence enclosures must comply with your Town By-law fence and setback requirements. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to obtain a permit to install a swimming pool. Swimming pool cannot be installed without proper fencing.
Requirements for swimming pools enclosures (Fencing)
- It is the consumer’s responsibility to consult his municipality to validate the terms, all current local rules and conditions that apply.
- Fence permits are not required, however all new fences must comply with your Town.
- Pool enclosures are required for all swimming pools that are more than 24” deep and a 1000 gallons or more.
- Minimum height for any pool enclosure is 48”.
- Above ground pools can serve as an enclosure provided the pool wall is a minimum 48” high and any access into the pool is restricted. This requirement does not apply to inflatable pools.
- Construction of pool enclosures (fence) shall not have any horizontal members than can facilitate climb ability. Such members shall have a minimum distance of 32” apart.
- A fence of chain link construction that forms part of the swimming pool enclosure shall have a mesh not greater than 1 ½” x 1 ½”.
- Any gate that is provided in a swimming pool enclosure must be self-closing and self-latching.
- Maximum height of any type of fence is 6’-0” including any latticework.
WATER SAFETY FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
It is important to know that drowning is the second cause of death for children under the age of 5. Children can drown in as less as 4 cm (1½ po.) of water, in other words, when there is enough water to cover the mouth and the nose.
Many of these tragedies occur in private pools and almost always in pools without any fencing or any automatic «self-lock» gate.
- For the families, swimming courses represent an excellent opportunity to participate in a fun activity for a healthy way of living. But by itself, the courses are not enough to protect children and will not avoid drowning.
- All children must be supervised by an adult when they are in or close to water. They should never be left alone in a pool or a bath, even for a small period of time.
- The Safety Society recommends a ratio of 1 adult for 2 young children, and 1 adult per baby.
- The fence surrounding a private pool must prevent the access directly from the home.
- The pool gate must be self-latching and automatically self-closing. It must be high enough that it can only be opened by an adult.
- Teach your children to be well behaved. Even small children can learn the basic rules for water safety.
- Never leave climbing toys close to pools.
- Do not dive! Most of the backyard pools are not deep enough to dive safely.
- Do not run or push people around the pool.
- People that are not experienced swimmer must wear a safety jacket or an individual floating garment. These preventative measures do not replace the supervision of an adult or a life-guard.
- Take your children with you if you have to leave the pool for any reason.
- Keep the AquaFence securely installed at all times and make sure to check that the gate is properly closed.
- Remember, the best rescue equipment for child is you!