Pools shall be protected by a fence, wall, building, enclosure or solid wall of durable material, of which the pool itself may be constructed, or any combination thereof. Artificial barriers shall be constructed so as to afford no external handholds or footholds, of materials that are impenetrable by toddlers, at least four feet in height so that a small child cannot grasp its top by jumping or reaching and equipped with a self-closing and positive self-latching closure mechanism at a height above the reach of small children, and provided with hardware for permanent locking.