Fire Department’s Schulz: Barriers — Using layers of protection for your family

As Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Coordinator, I have given you information on the seriousness of a drowning, the reality of this type of emergency and the initial steps necessary to prevent this tragedy from happening.

In this article I will discuss the layers of protection needed to help prevent a drowning from happening to you or your family. Next week I will finish with a list of classes instrumental to your family’s safety.

“I have a pool fence around my pool; I’m safe.” “It can’t happen to me; I watch my kids.” These phrases are signs of complacency, and everyone needs reminding that safety is an evolving mentality that must change and that everyone must constantly adjust to their surroundings. Layers of protection and the barriers that prevent a drowning from occurring are ever changing as well. Pool fences and pool fence ordinances, self- closing, self-latching gates and pool alarms have all changed over the years, but which one is the best? The answer is: all of them.

The more barriers that you put between your pool and your children, the less likely you are to suffer the consequences. The point behind the layers of protection may seem obvious; however, most people are in the mind set that a pool fence is enough. What these layers of protection provide to you is time, time that cannot be made up after a water incident has occurred.

Some questions to ask yourself: does the door that leads from your house to the patio or backyard area secure; does it have the right protection? Where is the dead-block lock? Is it three feet up, four feet, five feet? Does it have an audible alarm that is triggered every time it is opened? These are simple things that will help slow or stop a curious child from wandering outside if you have a momentary lapse as to their whereabouts. Adding extra locks or devices can be inexpensive and easy to install; check with some of the hardware or do it yourself stores for ideas. Many of them have items for this specific application.

Pool fences are the biggest deterrent limiting children’s access to the water. This barrier can only be viewed as effective if used properly. Pinal County has followed the lead of the state of Arizona with pool fence ordinances. I will include some of the specific guidelines to help you check your current fence and see if changes are needed. Keep items away from the fence that would allow a child to climb over the fence or allow them to open the gate. Keep toys, flotation toys and other lures out of the pool area when not in use; these items draw children’s attention towards the pool and contribute to various water emergencies.

Pool Fence Guidelines:

Top of the fence must be 60″ above final grade
Vertical bars must not allow a 4″ ball to pass through
Horizontal support members must not be closer than 45″
Self-closing, self-latching outward swinging gates installed a minimum of 54″ high, or an
Alarm installed per county ordinance

Additional information and detailed guidelines with illustrations are available through Pinal County on their Web site (Does Pinal County have spa and swimming pool protective barrier requirements?).

Pool alarm technology has progressed with the trend of drowning events as well. Older pool alarms would often misfire due to windy conditions. Toys left in the pool would trigger a false alarm, and the homeowner would get irritated and turn it off. Pool alarms now monitor below the surface of the water checking for disturbances by using infrared technology to monitor movement in the water. Have wireless alarms for inside the house rather than just audible alarms outside that may disturb your neighbors.

Pool cover popularity comes and goes. Some of the older covers were primarily to keep debris out of the pool and often led to worse drowning events due to entanglements if an individual fell onto them. Today there are several manufacturers that make retractable pool covers that are strong enough to walk across, yet mobile enough to retract with the touch of a button. These products are expensive but definitely can protect your pool if the thought of a pool fence is too ugly. Check with local pool builders or pool supply companies for more information about these types of products.

My goal and the goal of the Fire Department of Maricopa is to educate, motivate and prevent a drowning or submersion event from occurring in OUR community. Together we can make water safety fun, yet safe for each other.