I meant more so that my kids touch stuff they shouldn't so I could see them lifting the plastic lid of the skimmer putting hands in etc...if it was more hidden and heavier to remove it would look better and cut down the percentages of them accessing the skimmerWe used pour a lid on our skimmer covers. Since our decking is concrete, that's what they are. I'd say 5lbs each. ?? There are thumb holes to get a grip. From there, once the lid is off and sitting on the deck, the basket area is maybe what 8" across. It's not big. It's not something a ten year old would 'fall' into. And the lid is snug when it's on, nothing to trip on.
I like these a lot better than what we had ages ago. Those were heavy plastic and tacky looking.