Traditional pool covers are mesh or plastic and roll out over your pool to create a thin barrier on the surface of the water. They’re often secured with water bags, which can be a pain to fill and maintain.
Traditional pool covers help keep light debris like leaves out of your pool, but because of their flexible material, they do not enhance the level of safety around your pool.
Safety covers, on the other hand, are lightweight but durable covers for in-ground or semi-inground swimming pools. Their primary function is to keep children, pets, and other critters from falling in the pool.
As an added bonus, safety pool covers keep leaves, grass, snow, and other unwanted debris from entering the pool and creating a mess to deal with in the spring. However, their primary purpose is safety. For these reasons, pool safety covers are a necessity for any pool owner with children or pets.