We're buying a new house which has a pool. We have two super active and athletic kids ages 2 and 4 and have our third coming in September. So, of course, the pool safety issue is a big one for us. The pool has a fence around it that we're going to upgrade to a self-latching mesh fence. While that is probably enough, I would feel more comfortable with a cover as a backup safety measure to the fence. We are trying to decide what kind of cover to get. I've read lots of recommendations for the Katch-a-kid nets. Does anyone know if that's something I can take on and off by myself? Also, how much did they cost? We were all set to get one and then I had a very convincing conversation with the folks who sell the automatic hard cover tops.
I was wondering if anyone had experience and feedback on either or both of these options. Thanks so much!
Another good company is Pool Covers Inc. They have a website. I don't know the cost. Many of our pool service customers have had their automatic covers installed by them and have been satisfied.
We have a katch a kid net. It is pretty easy to put on/take off. I can do it by myself. It takes me about 15min to take off and 10-15 to put on. I LOVE IT. My kids (2 and 1) are NOT AFFRAID of the pool, which means that they WILL go in if they have a chance. There is NO WAY they can get in the pool when this is on. I don't have a gate, but I think if I did, I would still get a Katch a Kid. Gates can be climbed over, etc. Yeah, the automatic hard cover would be nicer, easier, but also $$$$$. Katch a kid cost us abotu 1000....pretty cheap.
Hi!
I don't know anything about the Katch a Kid nets but when we did our pool several years ago, we installed an automatic retracting pool cover. In our previous house, we had one that you had to "crank" to roll back and it was really hard. We didn't have a pool fence for either pool so maybe that changes the scenario, but I would never go with a non-automatic one again. It's so much easier.
J. F.
Yep, I also have a katch-a-kid and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. HIGHLY recommend it. I have kids 2, 3, and 5 and I don't worry AT ALL. I let them go in the backyard unattended. If I just had the fence I would still be worried that they would crawl under or over. Our house rule is that the net HAS to be on unless an adult is out in the pool area. So even during the summer, I literally put it on after 1 hour of swimming and it stays on until we swim the next day. We also have a fence and lock but after having fence and net, I would say the fence is secondary. If you're limited on budget, I truly believe a net would be enough of a cover (as long as you are super strict on the rule of keeping it covered). If the pool already has a fence, just get a magna-latch (don't bother upgrading to a mesh fence) and just get the net. You won't regret it! (As long as all of the adults involved follow the rules -we don't even leave it off if the pool guy comes in the morning and we're going to swim in 2 hours - it goes on, then 2 hours later comes back off).
I do the net by myself all the time. Get the katch a kid brand and it will come with a crank, and it's simple. Takes me about 5 minutes to take off and 10 to put on. Ours was $1450 (it covers the hot tub also). You can try to negotiate the price down (they gave us 10% home show discount and then called us the next day to give us an additional $300 off).
I am not familiar with Katch-a-kid but I can speak to the automatic pool covers since that is what we have. I love it. There is no effort involved since I just turn the key to open or close it. In a way it extends the use of the pool since the kids love to roll around on the cover and have races running across it. The sensation is like a giant waterbed. Also the cover acts to keep the heat in and cut down on evaporation since the pool is only open while we are using it. Which saves money. It is expensive but I think worth it. I have never had a single moments worry about the kids being in the back yard by themselves.
my husband installs protect a child pool fencing. Its a mesh fence made of fibre glass, very tough. The latches to the fence are really complicated for the kids to figure out ( my kids 9 and 11 can't do it).
As with any safety feature you need to be very vigilant about closing the fence/gate behind you. I still make my kids get out of the pool and stand on the other side of the fence if I need to go inside to get something.
www.protectachild.com
I also have a katch-a-kid. I can see how an automatic would be easier and more convenient and I would love to have one, but I swear by my katch-a-kid. My son actually fell onto the pool when he was three. His feet fell through the net but it held him up perfectly. I just walked up and scooped him out. He was perfectly fine and I thanked God for our net.
