My parents purchased a safety cover for their pool a few years ago and it has been amazing! They were told by the pool guy that because of the fine mesh (it is like a trampoline type material) you need to open the pool earlier in the spring, and leave it open later in the summer to minimize extra chemical use. It has been wonderful for them and is safe to walk on. The pool guy drilled into the concrete and put mounting hooks or brackets or something. During the summer when the cover isn't on, the hooks recess into the ground so you can't trip on them. In the winter any snow and water can get into the pool which is actually a good thing but it keeps leaves and other dirt/debris out. You can blow off the cover to clean up the sticks and leaves before taking the cover off in the spring. My parents had an elderly cocker spaniel who was hard of hearing and couldn't see so well sometimes and she used to wander onto the cover so it was nice knowing she couldn't fall in.