There is framed fencing with bamboo or rattan but they're not as child-proof as the above nor do they keep out cats, dogs and small rodents like mice and rats once a hole has been bitten through. And rattan rots after a few years.
Some fencing systems come with child-proof locks incorporated into the design but these are also available as an after-market product and there are a number of designs to choose from - starting with the ubiquitous padlock and chain to more sophisticated pin-number-required barrel locks. At the top end of the scale there are highly sophisticated digital locking systems that can be activated by a smart phone.
As for fencing around swimming pools, this must be at least 1.2 metres tall. The most common type of fencing is aluminium base and there are a number of varieties and styles to choose from. The 'deluxe' version, the top of the range for pool fencing, is glass balustrade - aesthetically attractive, highly effective and naturally more expensive than aluminium fencing.
Other sites around the home where children under five drowned included buckets, farm troughs and paddling pools. There is no legal requirement to fence any of these and it would be impractical to do so.
Regardless of the type of fencing chosen, however, the best safety measure is care-giver awareness and education.
- Sandy Myhre
