A study carried out by ANEC shows that balcony barriers and swimming pool fences used in homes across Europe are not effective in stopping young children from climbing them quickly. However, simple changes to their design would markedly improve the degree of safety offered.

With summer officially starting today, almost everyone is looking forward to relaxing at home in the sunshine. Unfortunately, elevated terraces and balconies pose particular risks to young children, as do swimming pools that do not have adequate fencing.

A study[1] undertaken by ANEC, which focused on the effectiveness of various designs of balcony barriers and swimming pool fences in increasing the safety of children in the 4 to 6 years age group, shows that simple barriers comprising vertical bars or solid panels, with heights 1.1m to 1.2m, could be climbed by around half of children[2] within 30 seconds.

The most effective barrier in the study was 1.2m high and inclined at an angle towards the child. This barrier stopped almost 90% of children: no child could pass the barrier within 10 seconds and only 7% succeeded climbing it in less than 30 seconds. A barrier with a wider top, designed to be more difficult to grip, was also more effective and stopped 80% of children.

Stephen Russell, ANEC Secretary-General, commented: “Children have a natural curiosity and climbing is a natural behaviour for them. They can - and will - climb objects in their environment and, as they grow older, their climbing ability improves. But climbing can end in serious injury or even a fatality. Unfortunately, the dimensions and designs of balcony barriers and pool fences differ from country to country with many proving ineffective as regulators, architects and designers appear to underestimate children’s climbing skills.” 

“ANEC will seek harmonized European standards for balcony barriers, pool fences and stair barriers in order to give more effective protection to all children in Europe.”

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[1]“Dimensions and design of swimming pool fences, balcony barriers and other guardrails for buildings to protect children below 6 years old”,  http://www.anec.eu/anec.asp?rd=77474&ref=07-01.01-01&lang=en

[2] A testing group comprised of 157 children in the 4 to 6 years age group tested 5 different barriers.

ANEC in brief

ANEC is the European consumer voice in standardisation, defending consumer interests in the processes of technical standardisation and conformity assessment as well as related legislation and public policies. ANEC was established in 1995 as an international non-profit association under Belgian law and represents consumer organisations from 31 European countries. ANEC is funded by the European Union and EFTA, with national consumer organisations contributing in kind. Its Secretariat is based in Brussels.

More information: www.anec.eu

ANEC 

Raising standards for consumers

Av. de Tervueren 32, box 27

BE-1040 Brussels

Tel. +32 (0)2 743 24 70 

Fax +32 (0)2 706 54 30

www.anec.eu