Keep Family Pets Safe During National Water Safety Month
May is National Water Safety Month and it is the time to get the pool ready and review safety precautions for the family. Pets are often a beloved part of the family, and while parents are usually vigilant about making pool safety a top priority for children, it’s important to remember our pets when it comes to preventing pool accidents and health issues.
The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) makes some sensible recommendations on keeping dogs safe around residential pools. First, take a look at your yard and pool area with your pup’s safety in mind. Clearly, having a fence around the pool area is a great way to keep your dog out of the pool when unsupervised, especially if you use a lightweight cover. If a dog falls into a covered pool he can become disoriented and remain trapped under the cover, resulting in drowning. APDT recommends keeping a flotation device or life preserver on a long line nearby. A panicked dog will try to climb onto his rescuer, so it is safer to try to pull him to safety with the flotation device, instead of jumping in yourself.
Cats naturally avoid getting wet, so you probably don’t have to worry about your cat leaping into the pool after your retriever. However, a floating pool alarm will sound if the surface is disturbed and would alert you to the fact that your pet has fallen into the pool. Secure fencing with a locking gate is a good first step to keeping your pet out of the pool area. As with children, supervision is key with pets and pools. In busy households where people are coming and going, a small investment in automatic door closers could prevent your pet from spending unsupervised time outdoors.
It makes sense to have a well-trained dog when the family is spending time around the pool. Teach your dog to “stay” and to “wait” at the edge of the pool before leaping in. A strong recall is equally important in the pool area when you want your dog to come to you. Show your dog where the steps are, or use a non-slip ramp if your pool has no steps.
If your dog is a breed that’s not really built for swimming (think stocky legs, bully breeds) or is overweight or senior, you may want to consider outfitting him with a lifejacket for his summer dips. Like humans, dogs don’t always instinctively have great swimming form and may require help learning to use their back legs to make paddling less exhausting. Supervise your pet when he’s swimming – if you see your pup getting tired, call him out and end the swimming session for the day.
Don’t allow your pet to drink chlorinated pool water – keep a water dish nearby. Remember to rinse your dog after swimming to remove chlorine and other chemicals. Collars left on a wet dog can cause hot-spots, and keep your eye out for possible ear infections or skin infections caused by moisture. And, always store your pool chemicals in a safe place where curious pets can’t get to it.
This summer do all you can to prevent unwanted pool accidents for pets and people.
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Protecting Doors that Open Directly to the Pool Area
Some homes feature beautiful sliding doors that open directly into the pool area. This is obviously a desirable design element, but can prove to be tricky when there are young children in the house. In this case, the walls of the house and the sliding doors themselves become an integral part of the pool barrier system. The importance of keeping doors to the pool area secure is shown in statistics gathered by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Their study of pool accidents in Arizona, Florida and California found that 46% of children who were victims of pool accidents were last seen in the house before being found in the pool.
The answer to this challenge is automatic self-closing and latching devices and audible alarms on all doors that open to the pool area. The CPSC recommends an alarm that sounds for 30 seconds or more within 7 seconds after the door is opened. They also recommend that the alarms be loud, with a sound that is distinct from other sounds in the home, like the telephone, doorbell, etc.
Our Ultra-Glide self-closing device ensures that doors close automatically and no doors remain open for little ones to slip out unnoticed. These unobtrusive devices are installed out of reach of children and can also be fitted with an optional latch. These small and easily installed devices can provide parents with peace of mind and a necessary layer of pool safety for their families.
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What Makes the Most Effective Pool Barrier?
Supervision is the key to effective pool safety, but there are some standards in pool barriers that can prevent tricky little ones from going under or through pool barriers. According to guidelines established by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) the bottom of any pool barrier should not be more than 4 inches above grade. The CPSC determined that based on the size of a young child’s head and chest, openings in the fence should be small enough so that a 4-inch diameter sphere cannot pass through.
Any pool barrier must include a gate for entry and exit, and guidelines have been established for pool area and property gates as well. Pedestrian gates should include a self-closing and self-latching device, as well as a locking device. The gate should open out, away from the pool area, so that even if it is not completely latched a child pushing on it will close the gate and maybe even engage the latch, preventing entry into the pool area. The release mechanism for the gate should be on the pool side of the gate, and be placed at the recommended height that will keep the latch out of reach of young children. Remember that children might reach over the gate, or through any openings in the fence or between the gate and barrier. Keep any openings within 18 inches of the latch to less than ½ inch to keep little hands from sneaking through. Any gates on the property should also have self-latching devices.
Adhering to these few simple pool barrier guidelines, providing constant supervision for children in and outside of the home, and establishing clear rules in for pool use in the household can help reduce residential pool accidents.
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Why Are Pool Barriers Necessary?
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) developed the swimming pool guidelines after an extensive study of swimming pool accidents in California, Arizona and Florida. The CPSC found that in those three states, drowning was the leading cause of accidental death in and around the home for children under the age of 5 years. The study also found that children age 1 to 3 years old accounted for 75% of swimming pool accidents, with boys being the most likely victims.
One of the interesting findings was that most of the swimming pool accident victims were actually being supervised by at least one parent when the accident occurred, and victims were last seen in the house or yard, or on the porch or patio before the accident. Sixty-nine percent of the victims were not expected to be in the pool when they were discovered drowned or submerged. These accidents occurred quickly – with 77% of the victims missing for only five minutes or less before being found in the pool.
After reviewing extensive data on drownings and child behavior, and pool barriers, the conclusion was reached that the most effective way to reduce child drownings in residential pools was to put barriers in place to prevent children from accessing the pools.
DCS Pool Barriers Prepares for National Water Safety Month
Phoenix, Arizona – March, 2012 Phoenix based company, DSC Pool Barriers, is gearing up for National Water Safety Month, sponsored by the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP), the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), World Waterpark Association (WWA), and the American Red Cross. May 2012 has been designated as the month to bring awareness to water safety through education. The national campaign will include educational programs, public service announcements, governmental proclamations, dealer and business promotions and the distribution of water-safety-themed materials.
APSP and the International Swimming Hall of Fame offer the following pool safety tips for homeowners, starting with making supervision a top priority. Children should never be left unsupervised in or near the pool, and should be watched carefully by adults at all times. A child can drown in the time it takes to answer the phone or run to get the sunscreen.
DCS Pool Barriers offers a full selection of products for pool safety. Doors that open to the pool area can be equipped with DCS’s patented Ultra Glide sliding glass door closer, which ensures that a sliding door will never be left open, allowing children unsupervised access to the pool. Sliding doors can also be fitted with safety latches that can be easily installed above child-level so kids cannot open the doors without adult assistance.
Permanent, galvanized steel pool fencing is a popular choice for pool safety in Arizona. High quality pool fencing can be customized so that it is not only durable and meets local pool barrier code, but will blend with the style of the home and property. This type of pool safety barrier is built to last, and can enhance property values. Gates on your pool fencing should close and latch automatically, and should never be left propped open. Patio furniture or other large objects should be far enough away from the fencing so that children cannot climb over the fence and gain access to the pool area.
Removable mesh fencing is an option for those homeowners looking for a temporary pool barrier, although it may not meet local pool barrier code. Mesh fencing’s transparent look allows a clear view of the pool area at all times. When not needed, the fencing can be rolled up and stored out of sight.
Within pool fencing, DCS also recommends use of a pool safety net. These nets are held securely in place over the surface of the pool with pulleys and clips, and are easily removed when it’s time to swim. This is a secure barrier in preventing infants and toddlers from getting into the water when used properly. Obviously, to be effective it does require that the homeowner always replace the net after swimming.
This year, follow these pool safety tips to make this your safest summer ever. For more information on pool safety products and fencing, visit www.dcspoolbarriers.com.
DCS Pool Barriers is a manufacturer and installer of a complete range of swimming pool barrier products, provides homeowners and commercial properties with pool fencing, gates and door safety mechanisms to help safeguard pools year-round.
Railings for Pool Area’s for Safety
The owners of this home kept having issues with wet stairs and slipping on the stairs. They asked DCS Pool Barriers to solve the problem by installing these custom made Wrought Iron railings for safety.
When securing your property is a priority, a full-sized, locking gate fits the bill.
DCS Pool Barriers created this gate for a customer that wanted a tall gate that would serve as an added layer of security on their property. Our client was thrilled with this combination of Southwestern style and home security. The elegant wood and wrought iron design fits perfectly with the home and is the perfect transition to the pool area. Beyond providing an artful entry between living spaces, this gate is a full-sized security gate that can be locked to keep unsupervised children or intruders out of the pool area. Each of our custom-designed gates are manufactured by us, so even the richest looking gate reflects a savings to our customer.
The powder-coated steel frame and kick plate, along with the security lock, give this gate some muscle along with its good looks. Our gates are built to swing smoothly and latch securely for years to come.
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Protect your Property and Pool with a Full-sized Locking Gate
When securing your property is a priority, a full-sized, locking gate fits the bill. DCS Pool Barriers created this gate for a customer that wanted a tall gate that would serve as an added layer of security on their property. The powder-coated steel frame and kick plate, along with the security lock, give this gate some muscle along with its good looks. Our gates are built to swing smoothly and latch securely for years to come.
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Who Says Pool Fencing has to be Boring?
Who says pool fencing has to be boring? This decorative pool fence strikes the perfect balance between strength and beauty with its decorative accents and arched gates. All of our pool fencing is fabricated with safety and quality in mind, but because we manufacture and install our own fencing, we can create designs and color matches that will actually enhance the look of the pool area. Have an idea for custom pool fencing? We’re happy to work with you to make it a reality.
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Homeowners have a Number of Choices when Securing their Pool Areas
Homeowners have a number of choices when securing their pool areas, and should look for a pool barrier manufacturer that is familiar with local regulations and offers a wide range of products for swimming pool safety. DCS Pool Barriers in Phoenix, AZ, provides a one-stop solution for homeowners’ pool barrier and fencing needs. DCS is the only company in the Phoenix metro area that provides all of the barriers, including alarms, door closers, fences and nets.
Pool barrier code varies from city to city in the Phoenix metro area, so homeowners should familiarize themselves with their local ordinances. There are a number of ways homeowners can protect their families and keep their pool areas safe. The number one tool in drowning prevention is supervision. A child can drown in the time it takes to answer an unexpected phone call or ring of the doorbell. Keeping children with you inside the home is a great start, and fitting your doors with alarms and self-closing, self-latching devices offers further protection. You can prevent children from opening doors by themselves, and be warned with an alarm when a door is opened.
Once outside the home, galvanized steel pool fencing is an excellent option for keeping your pool area secure. If you don’t have children in your home, but perhaps have visiting family or grandchildren, removable mesh fencing is an option. This fencing can be removed, rolled up and put away when children are not in the home. Inside the pool area, another option for pool safety is a pool safety net. These high-quality nets stretch across the surface of the pool, so small that children cannot reach the water. The downside to pool nets is that the homeowner must be vigilant about replacing the net after swimming, so that the pool is never left uncovered. The temporary options of removable fencing and pool nets do not meet pool barrier code in the Phoenix metro area, but are excellent options when used in conjunction with other pool safety products.
Creating a safe environment for family fun doesn’t have to be difficult. Armed with knowledge of the variety of pool barrier safety products available, homeowners can enhance their properties and prevent needless tragedies.
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