My son fell off our pool ladder onto concrete - ideas on mats etc?

Jump to latest Follow Reply
R

richierich

Bronze Supporter
Jul 12, 2013
752
Long Island, NY
My son was climbing down the ladder and fell on the concrete. He has some bruising and says his ribs hurt but I think he's overall ok. This got me thinking what can I put on the concrete so if a child fell they wouldn't break a bone. It's your standard A Frame ladder that is attached to the top rail. The way my backyard is situated its really the only place so moving the ladder isn't an option. I was thinking maybe a yoga mat but that is only 1/2" thick. Plus I was concerned that someone could slip and fall when those get wet. I measured the possible "fall" area to the left and right of the ladder and backwards and its roughly 5 feet by 5 feet. I need some good ideas TFP folks. Thanks!!!
 
richierich said:
My son was climbing down the ladder and fell on the concrete. He has some bruising and says his ribs hurt but I think he's overall ok. This got me thinking what can I put on the concrete so if a child fell they wouldn't break a bone. It's your standard A Frame ladder that is attached to the top rail. The way my backyard is situated its really the only place so moving the ladder isn't an option. I was thinking maybe a yoga mat but that is only 1/2" thick. Plus I was concerned that someone could slip and fall when those get wet. I measured the possible "fall" area to the left and right of the ladder and backwards and its roughly 5 feet by 5 feet. I need some good ideas TFP folks. Thanks!!!
Click to expand...
12 inches of mulch.
 
Thanks but that's not practical for us. The mulch will get spread and kicked and moved and not stay in one area. Eventually it will get into the pool. And the kids play on the concrete in the fall & spring when the pool isn't used. Looking for something easily removable
 
Ouch. You can buy neoprene padding on a roll in varying thickness. I've never used it for this purpose, but I would think it would work for what you are wanting. If you want something more permanent and are wanting to spend more money check with the gymnastics teachers in your area. When they replace a mat they may be willing to sell the old one to you. I just don't know how well any of these will hold up to chlorine and sun so it may be something you have to replace once a year.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001FZTO06/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1500492618&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=neoprene%2Bpadding&dpPl=1&dpID=51YN%2Byr2hPL&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1
 
I am not sure a thin mat of rubber or whatever is going to prevent a broken bone if they fall wrong.

You can get those interlocking rubber anti-fatigue mats ... seen them at Costco before.
 
I have a ladder that sounds much like yours. Its a danger, for some reason I never feel safe using it and I had someone fall off it too.

I didn't consider putting down padding and I don't think I will. I did consider looking to upgrade to a safer style ladder. I haven't had a chance to looked and see if there are any better options. Maybe you should consider a safer ladder.

This is the dangerous ladder I own.
07799ec9470ba87fc99999f52aed82ce--above-ground-swimming-pools-ground-pools.jpg
 
I really like the "spaghetti coil" type of mats often made by 3M and sold as "Nomad" brand (but probably by others too). I have 5 of them around the house and garage. You can get them with a solid base or with an open base so water drains through. I've had them outdoors in sunny Arizona for 3 years now with no signs of UV breakdown. Mine are all 3M and are heavy duty and not light. It takes a huge windstorm to move one of these around.

I got mine at a surplus outlet and bought all I could get for $30 each. A few I cut in half to get a better sizes. They trap a lot of dirt too and are pretty thick. They are not slippery, wet or dry.

Cactus Mat 1451M-G35 Vinyl-Coil 3' x 5' Gray Scraper Mat - 3/8" Thick

3M%20Nomad%20Scraper%206050%20Corner%20450.JPG
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
Sorry about your son.

This is exactly why my insurance company told me that they would cancel my policy immediatly if I installed a slide. More pool accidents are caused by falling off slide ladders and the slide than by diving boards.

I have nothing else to add...
 
I say a combo of the fatigue mats from Harbor Freight and the loopy ones slickraft posted about.One on top of the other should do the trick.

Do you know how/why he fell? Were the steps slippy? Put grippy tape on them. Was he being a monkey? Mats for when he does it again.

Could you build up something with PVC to form a "wall" to keep him or anyone from falling off the steps to the sides?

Kim:kim:
 
None of the adults liked the ladder that came with my above ground pool... So I built a 4'x4' mini "swim deck" with regular stairs and a hand rail going up to it. Then I took the pool ladder and removed one side of it and let the other side go into the pool. Attached that pool ladder to the deck and now everyone is comfortable getting into and out of the pool.. Plus they love jumping off of the little deck into the pool.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply