We have both self-closing gates into the yard and a mesh safety fence immediately around the pool. Draining is not an option (I think) because of the relatively high water table in my neighborhood. The safety fence around the pool is far enough from the house that I don't think it will have to be removed. Believe it or not, my children are all water-safe and have proper respect for the pool rules. It's mostly my dog that's an issue. We haven't been able to get her to jump in on her own for swim lessons. She falls in by accident sometimes (she likes to play around the pool and it is slippery) and she panics and needs to be guided to a step or swimout to get out safely. She would drown if she fell in with no one around.