Should I Leave the Pool Cover On? Safety vs Slipping Risk
Are Pool Covers Always Safer?
A covered pool looks secure. But in practice, covers introduce just as many risks as they solve — especially when misunderstood.
In ACT, inspectors don’t treat covers as compliant barriers. And some families actually increase their injury risk by relying too heavily on them.
When Covers Help: Drowning Prevention & Debris Control
A tight, lockable cover can stop small children from entering the water when the pool’s unattended — particularly in winter.
It also keeps out leaves, dirt, and pets — reducing cleaning costs and chemical imbalance.
Covers are most helpful when:
Used consistently and clipped in place
Fully dry and not sagging
Fitted to rigid frames or retractable reels
When Covers Hurt: Slip Hazards & False Security
Wet covers are slippery. Soft covers sag. Loose covers trap water or become tripping hazards.
Many ACT injuries involve:
Guests slipping while walking poolside with cover partially on
Children thinking the cover is “walkable”
Covers hiding damaged edges or fence entry points
The false sense of security is more dangerous than an uncovered but monitored pool.
Child Confusion: “Can I Step on It?”
Kids don’t differentiate between a rigid safety cover and a soft bubble wrap.
If it looks solid — they may try to stand or crawl across it. That’s when accidents happen.
Teach children that a covered pool is still a pool — not a platform. And never rely on a cover as your only safety feature.
What Inspectors Think About Pool Covers
ACT pool inspectors do not count covers as compliant barriers.
That means:
Your Form 23 must still be issued based on fence, gate, and clearance standards
Covers are treated as accessories — not protections
Don’t delay repairs or inspection bookings thinking your cover “buys time.”
Safe Cover Use: When to Leave It On (and Off)
✅ Use it: during winter, when no one’s using the pool, or when unattended for days
✅ Remove it: during parties, when kids are nearby, or after rainfall
✅ Dry it: before re-covering to prevent mold and slips
✅ Lock it: if your cover has built-in fasteners — always use them
Covers help — when used wisely.
From Tom
We’ve inspected pools with five-star covers — and still had to fail them. Covers are helpful, but they’re not a fence. And they don’t stop slips.
Let us check the real risks — before you assume it’s safe.
