7 Features You Need When Buying A Safety Net For Your Pool
Every day in the United States, about ten people drown in non-boating incidents. If you have a swimming pool and children, that stat may terrify you. Luckily, there are several tools that can help. In particular, you may want to put up a pool net to increase safety. When choosing your net, look for the following features.
1. Designed to Prevent Drowning
If you want to use the pool net to prevent kids or others from drowning in your pool, you need to ensure that it is designed for that purpose. An all-purpose net stretched across your pool won't have the same effect. In fact, children could slip under an all-purpose net and potentially get trapped and drown beneath it.
Similarly, an all-purpose net may not support the weight of people who fall onto it, and as a result, they may just push the net into the pool and drown.
2. High Tensile Strength With a Generous Weight Limit
It's also important to look for a net with high tensile strength. Tensile strength refers to a material's ability to withstand tension without breaking. If the net doesn't have enough tensile strength, it may break under the weight of a heavy load.
In addition, you also need to look at the weight limit of the net. Ideally, you want it to have a much higher weight limit than the weight of an average child. That way you don't have to worry if several children walk onto the net or if a big heavy animal gets on to it.
3. Customizable Size and Shape
In order to work with your pool, you need a net that fits perfectly. If you have an odd-shaped pool, you need a pool safety net that can be customized to the size and shape of your pool. Additionally, if you have features or landscaping around the pool, you want the net to be able to work around those items and still provide the safety that you need.
4. Taut Edges
The edges of your pool net need to be flush against the sides of the pool. As indicated above, if there are gaps, a child or even a pet could slip underneath the edges and get into the pool. Normally, to be pulled that tight, the safety net has to be in a track, or it has to be connected to a series of pulleys that create a tight fit to the surrounding area.
5. UV Resistance
In addition to thinking about the features your pool safety net offers right off the bat, you also need to think about the features that help it to last. In particular, your net needs to be UV resistant. It will be in the sun all day long, and it needs to be able to withstand the sun's rays without the net degrading or breaking down. You may also want to look for a net that comes with a guarantee that it will last for a certain number of years.
6. Great Color
Of course, you also need to think about the aesthetics of the net. You need a color that can match with the rest of the landscaping in your yard. In some cases, you may want a net that allows you to see the sparkling water of your pool underneath it.
7. Installation Included
A pool net that is designed for safety usually needs to be installed in a special way. To make that easier, you may want to buy a pool net from a company that can send a rep come and install it. That makes the process easier for you and ensures that the job is done correctly and with safety in mind.