18 ft x 42" softsided swimming pool with a removable ladder (3 steps). Is this big enough to require a fence?

Question

Nice answers only please. Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello Angela. Yes your pool should have a fence.A child can drown in a paddling pool or a sink.Yours is a big pool.

Answer 2

If you have small children near by it would be a very good idea. Or at least remove the ladder when you aren't around. You might want to check with home owners insurance to see if it would lesson your liability.

Answer 3

The True answer is that it depends...  Your softsided <or portable set up put anywhere pool> is not permanent and can be moved.  A permanently installed 48 inch pool, with a fence built into it, with stairs that flip up and lock or latch is considered its own fence system, and if anyone were to get into the pool, they did so at their own risk, because the pool is secured.  However, a 3.5 foot tall pool like yours does not have a fence, and just because the stairs are removable, does not mean that people can not get in..  a 6 foot adult, could theoretically just jump in, regardless of stairs or not. and since its probably the style of pool that uses an air ring at the top to support the walls and keep them up to hold the water,  anyone could just run into it, and the side could buckle just enough to allow someone to fall into it.  

Ultimately, you should check with your local town authorities.  Every town, City, and state, has rules and laws which govern the use of swimming pools.  I would rather have to install a fence on my yard, then find out that i am criminally liable when someone drowns even at their own risk, because I did not have the proper fence installed..  The reason for Fences being around a property or especially a pool area is to protect the homeowner from liability.  If the Pool is fenced, and someone jumped the fence, and then they get injured or worse, drown, you should not be held liable for their trespassing on your property as you have the proper preventative devices in use.