Wandering or elopement are common in autistic children. Because they may be drawn to a swimming pool, securing yours is essential to prevent water-related accidents.

Safety fencing is a good first barrier to keep kids safe. It should completely surround the pool and be at least 4 feet high. Karen Cohn, the founder of the ZAC Foundation, an organization working to strengthen pool safety legislation and funding advocacy, education, and effective programming surrounding water safety, says, “Install a regularly-inspected and locked fence around the perimeter of the pool and install an alarm that goes off when the surface of the water is disrupted by movement.”