Swimming Pool Safety Is No Accident
Tuesday, June 8th, 2010Every year thousands of young children in the United States drown in swimming pools. Even more children are victims of near-drownings. Most of these accidents occur in the family’s backyard swimming pool. Seventy-five% of children were last seen by their parents within five minutes of drowning. Drowning is called the “Silent Killer”. There is no splash nor cry for help.
Drowning is the only childhood death that can totally be prevented. Installing a pool fence around a swimming pool where a young child spends time can prevent drownings. Pool fences, unlike alarms or covers, create a barrier between a young child and the swimming pool. Swimming pool safety fences are non-climbable and when the pool fence is installed correctly it prevents a small child from getting over it, under it, through it or opening it. Installing a self-closing, self-latching, key-lockable walk-through gate adds a layer of safety, as well as convenience.
Swimming pool fences are so effective in preventing drowning accidents that many States in the United States have now mandated legislation requiring pool fences be installed around any new swimming pool being constructed. In States such as Florida, Nevada, Arizona, Texas and California, where swimming pools are prevalent, swimming pool fences have drastically cut down the number of drownings and near drownings.
Layers of protection around a swimming pool are important. Every parent should know CPR and small children should be afforded swimming lessons; however, safety experts agree that prevention is the best method to prevent drownings. Pool safety fences around a pool ensure that there is a barrier between the child and the edge of the pool and therefore prevent accidents.
Who needs a pool fence? Swimming pool safety fences should be installed around every backyard swimming pool at a home where young children live. Additionally, grandparents’ pools should be equipped with pool fences, as well as anyone providing day care at their home with a pool.
Pool fences provide the best of both worlds – families can enjoy their backyard swimming pool and at the same time know their small children are safe. If a small child opens a door and walks out to the backyard swimming pool he or she is protected from accidentally falling into the pool if a pool safety fence has been installed. When pool fences are installed around a backyard swimming pool, pool safety truly is no accident.
