Reader comments
Alpine to require pool fences

I agree with the wisdom of having a fence too, but is it the role of government to step in and tell me how to live? Maybe they should legislate safety glasses when I am using my power drill? Maybe I should have to get a permit-- people get puncture wounds, right? Or maybe I need a special class to use a power saw... it goes on and on.

If the government can get involved in a pool fence, where does it stop?

What about the idea that parents should be watching their children? I am talking about the interactive watching not the "don't bother me" I'm watching TV or chatting...

Fences are great but there is no substitute for real parental involvment!

This new law is right on the money. Pool covers have never been tested or shown to prevent drowning according to the CPSC. The best way to prevent drowning is a four sided pool fence that isolates the swimming pool from the rest of the property. A four foot tall fence with a self closing gate should be the MINIMUM requirement.KUDOS to Alpine Utah!

Common sense must prevail. If you own a pool and a neighbor's child drowns it -- just who do you think is going to be found liable for setting up such a clear hazard? In this case in my opinion the city is also currently liable for not enacting such a code for pool owners long before now.

Perhaps the city should simply make the code retroactive with an opt-out provision in place of a grandfather clause by requesting pool owners to sign a legal agreement that recognizes the pool owner's express/sole assumption of liability for their decision to not have a fence.

Think of it this way -- what if your neighbor left a loaded gun laying around in their yard and a child got a hold of it and someone died as a result? Would the gun owner be guility of reckless endagerment? negligence? negligent homicide?

Hopefully this can be taken seriously and expeditiously -- before there's a tradgedy. This is not a question of personal choice, but that of personal responsibility. If you're not inclined to be responsible then society has an obligation to step in - as it's not just you and yours at risk.