Brian Knavish, spokesman for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross, says swimming lessons are also a good preventive measure. There is also training available for adults. "It's not a bad idea for the adults in a family with a pool to have lifeguard training," Knavish says. "It includes not only safety consciousness, but first aid as well. You don't have to be going to work as a lifeguard to have this training, and it could save a life."

While inflatable pools are growing in popularity precisely because they're so affordable, it may be financial considerations that cause people to cut corners when it comes to safety.

Louie Delaware is known around Metropolitan Denver as the Home Safety Guru (www.homesafetyguru.com). One of his specialties is advising homeowners on pool safety, and he understands that a permanent fence may not be feasible for everyone who purchases an inflatable pool. Still, he says, at the very least there must be a barrier between your home and the pool, even if there's a fence around the property that may protect neighborhood children from getting onto the property. Delaware recommends a safety fence of plastic mesh without a bar across the top, making it virtually impossible to climb. It's not a permanent fence, so is a fraction of the cost, but still offers an excellent barrier to the pool. One brand he likes is made by Guardian Pool Safety Fence Company, but there are other manufacturers as well.

Want to see more?

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