Thank You 12 News in PHX for these details and information.
*Updated 22 March 2017:
From Bullet,
there continues to be statistics like those to follow from 2016.
It appears to have become cliche’ to say “keep your kids safe around water”.
Please don’t get dulled by the repetition of this phrase eh…
Too much tragedy already.
From 12 News:
“In just the first four months of 2016 alone, there were 27 drowning-related incidents in Maricopa County. In four of those cases, children 5 years old or younger, drowned. In fact, the same day this report aired, Phoenix firefighters responded to two water-related incidents.
Sometimes, the homes where these incidents occur don’t have pool fences. However, many times, they do.
On March 24, a 5-year-old boy drowned when he was able to open his pool fence.
So what can parents do to keep their kids safe? We got some tips from a pool fence expert.
As a Phoenix firefighter, Tim Maloney responded to eight drownings and seven near-drownings. He was so affected by them, that he started his own pool fence company: Arizona Pool Fence.
Here is what Maloney suggests:
Have layers of protection
Maloney suggests parents always have two layers of protection.
That means, if you have a fence, that should count as the second layer. Self-locking doors with high handles could be the first layer.
Iron or mesh?
There are different types of fences to chose from. Most people are familiar with iron, however, Maloney recommends mesh. It may look less sturdy, but that’s actually an asset.
“Iron is rigid on top and kids can get up, put a chair up to it, shimmy up and get themselves over. The mesh is a non-climbable system,” said Maloney.
Mesh will fold over in the direction of the child in a way that will keep the child on the side away from the pool.
Have a fence alarm
Maloney also recommends every pool fence should have a self-locking gate with an alarm.
Despite parents’ best efforts, kids can be evasive. Having an alarm will alert parents when the pool fence has been opened.”
Copyright 2016 KPNX
http://www.12news.com/news/local/expert-gives-advice-to-prevent-drownings/139607663
