If your child attends, or you operate a home daycare in the state of California and that home has a pool, the law requires the pool to be fenced or covered. Pool safety is not something to be taken lightly which is why the state has detailed safety requirements in the Home Daycare Handbook. All home facilities must pass a safety inspection at the homesite, including an inspection of the pool.
Here are the safety requirements:
- All licensees shall ensure the inaccessibility of pools (in-ground and above-ground), fixed-in-place wading pools, hot tubs, spas, fish ponds and similar bodies of water through a pool cover or by surrounding the pool with a fence.
- Fences shall be at least 5 feet high and shall be constructed so that the fence does not obscure the pool from view.
- Gates shall swing away from the pool, self-close and have a self-latching device located no more than 6 inches from the top.
- Pool covers shall be strong enough to completely support the weight of an adult and shall be placed on the pool and locked while the pool is not in use.
Thinking about sending your child to a home daycare or opening a home daycare? Please check out the California Department of Social Services pdf, where you can find more information on pool safety code and much more.
Happy Swimming!
