Swimming Pool.

**taiwallis** · 08-07-2008, 09:21 AM

Hi Guys,

Just some advice needed. We share a courtyard to park our cars with next door house. This is fenced with a low wooden fence, litterally 3 pieces of wood so easy for kids to climb, get through. This only backs onto a field.
I am thinking it would be easier just to take a photo and upload.
Anyway. Next door have taken the upkeep of this field off our landlords so that they can put a swimming pool on it. However, before asking us they have gone ahead and done it. They have placed it right next to the fence so any child could climb and tumble in. They do not cover the pool. I am terrified not only for my children but also mindees. If they were to EVER get out of the garden (which they shouldnt and are always watched) or if they were to run off while i get them into the car???? (again i watch them). Am i being over paranoid - going to do a risk assessment now - but feel that i have to ask them to move it into the centre of the field and keep the ladder away so that it is not such a threat. It is enormous, and i fear if a child fell in, they wouldnt be able to get out again.
Any views - i have enclosed the website of the type of pool and size i am talking about.

http://www.ukpoolstore.co.uk/acatalo...ing-pools.html

any advice? xxx

**venus89** · 08-07-2008, 09:28 AM

I'd certainly ask them ti keep the ladder away from it, not just for your mindee but any local kids (or even animals who may take a drink from the pool). Do you get on well enough with your neighbours to talk to them about this? Maybe you and they could get a padlocked gate put in and a stronger fence?

**taiwallis** · 08-07-2008, 09:29 AM

ok - trying to upload photo. hold on. - it explains it better.

**Pedagog** · 08-07-2008, 09:29 AM

How do you get on with your neighbours? Could you talk to them?

Who's responsibility is the fence? If it is the landlords then he will almost certainly have an obligation to put up a decent fence for safety reasons.

Always tricky with neighbours as you don't want to fall out with them do you?

If the field is registered for agricultural use, then they may not be allowed to use it for leisure use (ie a swimming pool.). might be worth checking.

That wasn't much help was it,

**foxy lady** · 08-07-2008, 09:41 AM

yes i think i would be very worried about this aswell
i think you should try to talk to them and come to some arrangement to make it safer. keeping the ladder well away would be a good start

**taiwallis** · 08-07-2008, 09:50 AM

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...4&id=573657527

picture is too big to attach but i think this may work - it explains it better i feel. x

**Pedagog** · 08-07-2008, 10:01 AM

Just had a look at the photo, they are having a laugh aren't they.

I would have thought they would definitely be liable if any child fell in.

If you get on alright with them I would raise concerns about the position they are putting themselves in with the possibility of someone suing them, you can make it seem that you are concerned for them. If that fails then try the same thing with the owner of the land.

Hope that helps.

**crazybones** · 08-07-2008, 10:07 AM

OMG why place it so close? I would definitely have a word if you can before you have to take it further.

**Blackhorse** · 08-07-2008, 10:07 AM

I am not sure about laws etc, but common sense would suggest that it has to be secured if not in use...I.e. covered properly and ladder taken away

I think I would worry about this too.
You can be very vigilant with the children but there is always a chance that certain circumstances arise where accidents might happen.

I would go and speak to the neighbours and tell them about your concerns. Maybe they just haven't really thought about it....
If they don't have any kids they might not realise...(although I think they should have)

I also agree that it could be a hazard for other kids and animals....

**taiwallis** · 08-07-2008, 11:03 AM

thanks - have asked to meet for a coffee to discuss. I get on with them so well but know they will not be happy - it takes 2 -3 days permanently with hose on - that probs costs alot!
Will keep you posted!
x

**littletreasures** · 08-07-2008, 11:11 AM

It should definitely be moved away from the fence. Even if the ladder is taken away as you say the kids could still climb the fence and fall in.

I hope your meeting goes ok.

littletreasures

**venus89** · 08-07-2008, 11:15 AM

Ah... i see what you mean. What on earth possessed them to put it there?
Hope the coffee meeting goes well - let us know.

lovely area you live in

**avril** · 08-07-2008, 01:02 PM

OMG

Definately have a word, as children can be so curious and accidents do happen! Fingers crossed you get a satisfactory result.

**taiwallis** · 08-07-2008, 01:17 PM

I thought that i should complete a risk assessment, and then give her a letter while she is here (we are good friends) with a copy of the risk assessment to absolve myself, and show that i am trying to work in the best interests of the children. I understand if you dont have a paper trail then it is just word against word. If she then doesnt move it, i have got proof i have asked for it to be done. Having a blank of how to set out the risk assessment. using a bcma one, so areas to consider.... child getting out of garden - in place already is that it is shut and locked, and they are taught never to try and open , however next step, perhaps padlock it?
from there .... child climbs fence and falls in?
teach child not to climb fence when going to car.

from there? xxxx or is that it?

**venus89** · 08-07-2008, 01:37 PM

You don't want to be padlocking the gate in the garden though - wouldn't that be an emergency exit in a fire?

**taiwallis** · 08-07-2008, 01:47 PM

i know - i had thought of that, but i do have another potential fire exit from the garden but that leads to the front of the house, which is gated but then leads to road so not happy about using it and not one i have in my fire evacuation.

so - is there nothing i can do?

what do i do that i have put in place/ or going to put in place - just gate is shut, and have taught children not to go near it and that have written to neighbours asking for pool to be a. taken down, b. moved, c. covered, d. steps put away.

is that it - it seems such a hazard i am panicking about it.

**venus89** · 08-07-2008, 01:53 PM

Well... hopefully your neighbours will see your point. If they move it and cover it and take away the ladder when not in use then there's no problem. They may even let you use it yourself! But I think you're doing the right thing by making a huge paper trail. I'd also mention it to the parents, perhaps, and say to them to make sure the kids don't climb on the fence when they're picked up/dropped off.

**Pedagog** · 08-07-2008, 03:55 PM

Good luck with the meeting

**angeldelight** · 08-07-2008, 06:56 PM

Think you have been dealing with this situation really well and you seem to have everything in order

Well done

Cant really understand though why they would put a pool so close to a fence anyway unless its easier to drain

They are not really considering the dangers are they

A child of 18mths died last week in our area - he managed to get out of his own garden and fell in his neighbours pool and drowned

They would never forgive themselves either

I am glad you are bringing it to their attention - only hope they are understanding

Keep us posted

Angel xx

**taiwallis** · 09-07-2008, 07:29 AM

Update: unfortunately got nowhere with yesterdays meeting - they said they were aware of the risks and happy to take those, as they didn't believe a child would ever climb up and fall in. They said it would be worse to cover it as it works as a suffocation blanket.
My husband having another meeting tonight - and we have spoken to our landlord. It is his land they have the pool on. We rent his house. They rent a privately owned house. do the maths - please them or lose us as tenants.... and its not cheap here.
Hopefully it will sort itself out today, but it beggars belief that people can be so naive and i guess plain stupid, thinking 'oh it will never happen to us'. When it does happen it is too late.
x