With 2 small kids pool or no pool?

Question

My husband and I are buying a house and we efound one we really really love and it has a beautiful in-ground pool. We have a 2 year old and a 2 month old and I am worried about the dangers of having a pool with small children. We want to live here for a very long time and when they are older it would be awesome having a pool and my 2 yr old already loves the water. Should we buy the house or find one with a yard for a swing set and sandbox?

Answer 1

depending on where you live, a pool may actually see more use than a swing set. in georgia, pools are pretty much a viable option right into late september and even october! also, how long are the children going to be interested in swings for - maybe ten years if your lucky! on the other hand, a pool would benefit the whole family for years to come - and just think of the pool parties!

however, pool safety is a huge must! deaths from drowning most often when the child has been seen within the last two minutes! it doesn't take long for a little one to wander into the water. a fence around the pool - at least until both children are avid swimmers is important. as is keeping toys out of the water so there are less incentives to go in. swimming lessons are a must! even at two years of age, your child can learn water safety and keeping calm if he does fall in. the two month old probably won't be walking for a while so he can wait :)



***edit: and just for comparison, swingsets result in thousands of injuries, if not more- they aren't exactly the "safe" option, only "safer". in fact, based off of numbers, i would bet swings account for a higher total number of injuries. either way, you will have to watch your kids constantly, so why not get the house you really want?

Answer 2

You should do what you like best, and you seem to really enjoy the idea of a pool. So go for it, also get a fence installed around the pool, if this isnt "possible" they do have gates that you can install for cheap from babies r us and what not that make your own back yard for small children in a small area so they can crawl or walk away from you, they also have door alarms that work wonders, when the door is opened a connection is broken between on side and the other causing the alarm to go off, this maybe annoying so if the kids arent there then you can turn it off. But it works wonders. The girl that lives next door to my fiance has two kids that are excape artist at ages 2 and 3 and this has put a stop to it. Also preventative maitenence goes a long way. Teach your daughter that there is a danger here if she is not supervised, Maybe give her some lessons and just teach her. We have all kinds of pools that the kids go near ages 3 and 5 now, they know that if there isnt an adult, the to leave the water alone. When my step daughter was 2 She came runing around the corner of her grandmas house screaming, and hollering, come t ofind out her older brother 4 and cousin 6 had goten into the pool with the other kids it was only a 3' pool, not even over their heads, but she thought that no adult was around. She thought she was protecting them...

Answer 3

get the one with the pool. Buy a fence high enough for them not to climb over it. Lock it. Don't just use the cover (you know, the thing for winter) as some kids have drown underneath it. Also, buy an alarm for the pool, so that, when they get older, you know if they get in the pool.



teach them to swim, even when they are 2 (month- or year-old), they can at least get used to the water, but always stay with them when they are in the water, even if the phone is ringing or someone rings at the door.



When they get older, they need to know the rules (no swimming when you or your husband is not around). Always keep the alarm on.



Swimming is good exercise, and since kids exercise less and less, it's good for them to be able to swim whenever the sun is shining.

Answer 4

Check out this link. This is an example of a fence you can have installed around your in ground pool.



http://www.poolfencingbypoolguardoftampabay.com/



They are very safe and can be removed when the children get older. This is just an example, you can get some that are a little more decorative if you wish.



I used to work for a pool builder and this type of barrier OR alarms on all openings to the pool (doors & windows) are now required on any new pools installed in my state. These are the type of barriers recommended. I hate to sound repetative, but these barriers really work and give you piece of mind. Just be sure they are closed securely when not in use.

Answer 5

I Know you are worried but don't because if you do you will get worked up and Not buy the house... And when the kids are older you will be glad you did buy the house.

So here are some ways to deal with it.......

1. Put up a fence to block it

2. Cover it with the type of cover you can walk on.

3.Get a playground that the kids love and will be occupied with it.

4.Always keep a eye on them

5.Cut the yard in half with a fence that does not go around but next to it so you have 2 yards and when they are older that the half with out the yard put a trampoline in the space.

6.Not allow the kids outside till older.So you would take them it the front yard not back.

Please have FUN with your Kid{FAMILY}..

********Good Luck************

Answer 6

If you love the house with the pool buy it. Take some safety precautions to keep the children out of danger. Put a lock on the door that goes to the pool area that requires a key and keep the key with your keys.

Answer 7

i would buy the house with the pool because by the time your kids are old enough to go outside by themselves they should know whether or not they can swim. if you're going to be there for a long time do not pick the house with a swing set. it will be a waste of time. because they outgrow it fast and will never play on it, and it will turn into a haven for bee and wasps. you also need to take into consideration the upkeep of a pool make sure you have time to take care of a pool. all in all a pool can be a great thing and for exercise and a great way to bond with your children. and please for the love of God dont ever be too overprotective.

Answer 8

If you buy it plan on buying a security gate for it! You will never be able to take your eyes off of them! Put alarms on door going out to the pool also! There are even alarms for anything disturbing the water. I wouldn't buy it if you can find something else. Not with little kids.

Answer 9

I think it would be OK. If you can, make a fence or gate around the pool, so when you let them play outside they won't have a risk of accidentally falling in. If you can't afford a fence or gate, then just let them play in the front yard until they are old enough or know how to swim. I would get the house.

Answer 10

I would skip the pool with little wee ones around. We had a house with a pool with a two year old, and, although we took all the precautions, I was never at ease, and always worried that she would fall in and drown, so much that I had nightmares about it. It doesn't take much, and, in Florida, it is all too common. We sold the house last year,and purchased a bigger one with a community pool a short walk away, which works out perfectly. So, for peace of mind and absolutely no chance of accidental drowning, I would opt for a house without a pool.

Answer 11

If you really love this house then you should buy it. There are many different types of fences you can put around the pull to keep your two year old out of it. I say go for it. If you don't then you might regret it. Especially if it's a dream house. And you kids will LOVE the pool when they are older.

Answer 12

If you really love the house then just get one of those special gates that go around the pool to keep the kids out. They have a really cool one that's see through (hard plastic of some sort) that I saw on HGTV, that wasn't too expensive.

Answer 13

Hmmm. If you decide to buy it, have a CHILDPROOF cover as well as a strong security fence built before you move in. Every year children drown or end up with brain damage. I would think long and hard before buying that home, for until your babies are quite a bit older, you will need to be ever vigilant. Some advice from a grandma of six, and good luck!

Answer 14

i think you should go with the pool. you can start to teach the 2 year old to swim in a little while, when the younger one is old enough you can teach him/her to swim too. they can always swing in a park anyways. and if they love water and swimming, they can join a team. and since you love the house, thats a huge plus!

Answer 15

pools are a fun thing for kids, and as long as a fence is put around to keep the kids out with out supervision there is not

that much of a danger. Every thing is dangeres for a child

at that age, the only way to keep them from danger is to keep a good eye on them.

good luck and hope you find the house that you best like.

Answer 16

shug,that's a hard question to answer.as i can understand you predicament...i guess i would err on the side of safety...& get a house with a play set or sandbox,or you can add your own play center.later on if you want,get a little toddler pool,but keep an eye on them.

however if you do get this house,get a fence around the pool & MAKE SURE they cannot get to it w/out your presence....

Answer 17

Get the one with a pool, and put a fence around it.



EDIT ----- Oh my god i can't believe how many people can't relax in a home with kids and a pool. Get a better fence then. Get a concrete wall. Believe me, when they are old enough, having a pool will be the greatest thing ever.

Answer 18

If you invest in a "Hard pool cover" And use it every time, your children should be safe!

http://www.poolcoverusa.com/



Some of them can be locked. Make sure the kids can't find the key.



Take your children to swim classes at the YMCA even the 2mo old.



Never Ever take your eyes of them when you are playing in the pool.



Put a fence around the pool if you can.

Answer 19

My family has always lived in homes with pools, and I couldn't imagine not having one. As long as there's a gate that can be locked to ensure that the kids can't get into the pool by themselves, it's fine. Besides, swimming is GREAT exercise!

Answer 20

Put a fence around the pool and keep it locked.

Answer 21

I'm a mom of 3 young children.



I would never be able to relax living in a house with a pool. Not just the danger to my own children, but the liability of any other person on my property (invited or not).



Drowning is fast and silent.

Answer 22

Wait until they both can swim, then NEVER leave them unattended around the pool. I think it's OK, but you have to ask yourself if you can be even MORE alert then you already are.



Good Luck

Answer 23

yes get the one with the pool. just let the kids know that they cant go by it without an adult

Answer 24

At their ages - I would buy a house with a yard and swing set.

Children are very special and the last thing you should do is buy a home that has a pool they could drown in - you'd never be able to forgive yourself.......................

Answer 25

Just one pool? My house has an outside pool and an indoor pool, a tennis court, a gym, a football field and sandbox.



Look, you're just trying to show off, so I had to answer this question with a stupid answer.

Answer 26

you just need to teach her about the water.. Put her in swim lessons... I would make sure there is a fence up and watch her non stop. Like I said though... i would definitely get her lessons so if something does happen she can get herself out without freaking out..

Answer 27

just by a swing for now and later on as they get older and understand buy a pool for ur kids=D

Answer 28

as long as you don't let your children outside alone or have the pool area fenced in i don't see why you shouldn't buy the house

Answer 29

my daughter loves the pool, i wish i could get a house with a pool in it, its great exercise for you and your kids. just take all the precautions, and i think swimming lessons are a must, even for the baby, see if your area has mommy and me swimming lessons, they are really fun, they teach the baby how to float and hold their breath.

Answer 30

a pool is nice but,you gotta get them lessons now!

my friends daughter drowned at the age of three..so you have to keep both eyes on them...

Answer 31

I would buy it because in the end the kids will appricaiate it. But consider installing a gate around it.

Answer 32

If you can secure the pool in such a way that they absolutely can not get to it with adult supervision it should be fine, otherwise it's not so nice.

Answer 33

For the love of God no pool...trust me on this one....no pool!

You will never feel safe...no matter what precations you take to make sure your kids can't get at the pool without you.....we all know children and they want what they can't have...we were so happy to unload our house with a pool. As parents we worries all the time......go ask any parents with a pool...they will tell you...don't do it!