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Original poster

swimming pool - no fence

10 replies

Fuchi · 05/06/2014 12:01

Desperate for some advice: we are going to a French house with a pool, which doesn't have a fence. I am waiting to hear back if they have an alarm or cover (i think they have to have one of these by law). We are going with our very active 2 and a half year old. I am considering buying both an alarm for the pool in France, and also an alarm for her to wear on her arm. I think Pool Turtles are highly rated, but appear to be only available from the US. Has any one bought alarms for their children to wear? Many thanks.

OP posts:

NickNackNooToYou · 05/06/2014 17:18

I thought it was French law that all swimming pools had to be fenced off.Maybe it's an above ground one?

At 2 1/2 I would be more inclined to watch her 24/7, however I probably am over cautious but I wouldn't risk it.

Not overly helpful re alarms, sorry [hmmm]

Urvy · 05/06/2014 17:25

We regularly stay somewhere with an I fenced pool - since DS 1 was born, now 2 DCs aged 3 and 6. The thought of an alarm in case they fall in is terrifying! We were just always with them outside or the doors were shut. They weren't allowed to play near the edge.

I don't know, the thought of a child wearing an alarm instead of being closely supervised makes me shudder. I'm sure you'd supervise anyway and it's a 'just in case' but still, it would make my dh complacent. Though not me!

mummymeister · 05/06/2014 19:19

fuchi did you not realise this when you booked the villa? the pool alarm question was asked on here a few months ago and the general consensus was that were crap and didn't work very well. How would a poolside alarm work if there is no fence or door? you can alarm the doors around the house but you would have to really cover all the outside doors which may not be practical. your best bet would be to invest in some reins for her. not sure how relaxing this is going to be for you though. could you put a float suit on her whenever you are at the villa? they sort of wrap round them like life jackets. not a 100% but would make me feel happier.

SquidgyMummy · 05/06/2014 19:29

In France, villa owners can choose between alarms or fences. (The rules about fences are pretty strict)

When 3yo DS is playing near water, I always keep armbands on him, so that if he slips in (eg when collecting water for playing with) he can doggy paddle till i fish him out.

Original poster

Fuchi · 17/06/2014 13:10

Thanks all. I have now found out there is a electric cover, which we will keep on whenever not in the pool. Of course, I only meant to buy an alarm for her to wear in addition to being completely vigilant and the cover, not instead of. Would still be grateful for any thoughts from any one who has used one of these Pool Turtles or similar.

OP posts:

CampingClaire · 17/06/2014 13:25

The electric cover terrifies me incase there is some freak way they can get under it! The house we stayed in last year had a manual cover but no fence but our kids are teens. I still couldn't wait to get the cover off. All the other French houses we've stayed in had them fenced off with no cover.
When ours were little we had a sort of waist coat type thing that they wore around the pool incase they fell in. It was a lot easier to put on than arm bands especially as it was on/off/on/off all day long on little fat arms that are covered in sun lotion.

specialsubject · 17/06/2014 18:28

make sure that cover is REALLY solid. I don't think I need to elaborate on what may happen if she gets under it.

I knew someone where it happened to the dog, that was bad enough.

HerRoyalNotness · 17/06/2014 18:36

I haven't used the pool turtle things, but if you want an alarm on the doors you can get a stick on type at B&Q. You stick one part on the door the other on the frame, when contact is broken it is VERY loud. I use this for when I'm in the shower etc... as we don't have a fence around our pool.

This might be handy if you are doing something inside for a few minutes and your DC tries to go out the door.

Original poster

Fuchi · 18/06/2014 05:01

Thanks CampingClaire and HerRoyalNotness, very handy suggestions. Of course part of the difficulty in this situation is not knowing the exact set up ahead of getting there, but something for the door sounds particularly good as an extra precaution.

OP posts:

MillyMollyMama · 18/06/2014 18:27

When DD was 2, we arrived at a holiday appartment complex in France and DD took off and ran towards the pool with DH in hot pursuit. She ran straight onto the pool cover, it gave way, and she went right down into the water. Luckily she bobbed up again at the edge and not underneath the cover. Luckily DH was only a stride behind so he fished her out. She was never one to run off normally and we had only let go of her hand to unlock the front door! I had a very nervous holiday after that. The pool area was not fenced and the cover was obviously not child proof. Constant supervision is the only answer.

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