I have small children.  I know the danger of an unattended pool and understand the risks involved with having this body of water as a part of your backyard environment.  Even if you don't have small children, concern for neighbors, pets, even wildlife, should lead you to not cover your pool with a standard tarp-type pool cover if at all possible.  They simply make the pool a greater hazard than if the pool were even just left completely uncovered through the fall and winter seasons.  Fortunately there is a great alternative , one that gives you full peace of mind that the pool water is not accessible, and provides you with many other substantial benefits