Upgrade Your Pool Safety Barriers During Water Safety Month!

Having a pool in Arizona is a great way to stay cool in the summer, and provides an attractive and fun setting for get-togethers with family and friends. Swimming and staying active can provide health benefits for the whole family. However, pool ownership comes with the responsibility of keeping people of all ages safe around the water.

Governor Jan Brewer has proclaimed the month of May as Water Safety Month in Arizona, as part of National Water Safety month, which is a joint effort of the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP), the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF), the Independent Pool & Spa Service Association (IPSSA), the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and the World Waterpark Association (WWA).

The state of Arizona has the second highest number of drowning deaths in the U.S., and one of the highest rates of near drowning reports. According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, there were 87 drowning deaths in Arizona in the year 2008, 24 of which were children under the age of five.

Most drowning accidents can be prevented by establishing and following pool safety guidelines in your household. Establishing firm household rules about pool use, checking the pool area for safety, and installing pool barriers are essential steps for all pool owners to take.

Alex Tsekhanovsky, of DCS Pool Barriers in Phoenix, AZ, reinforces the fact that children should never be left unsupervised, “There’s no substitution for supervision; our products are aids to help homeowners protect their children and family members when they come over with children and friends.” DCS offers a wide variety of pool safety products, including permanent, galvanized steel fencing  “We always recommend layers of protection,” Tsekhanovsky says. “And our company is the only company in the Phoenix metro area that provides all of the barriers including alarms, fences and nets.”

Innovative safety options for homeowners are door alarms and self latching door devices for your home. When any door in the home is opened, a parent will be alerted by the door alarm.

Permanent, galvanized steel pool fencing is an essential component of pool safety. It should be high quality, durable and meet local pool barrier code. Gates on pool fencing should close and latch automatically. This wrought iron style of pool fencing can also be customized to match features of the home and enhance the look of the property.

For a temporary safety measure that can be used when needed and put away, removable mesh fencing is an option. This type of fencing may not meet local pool barrier code, but can be helpful if children are visiting. It can then be rolled up and stored when not in use. Along the same lines, a pool safety net can serve as an additional or temporary safety device for pools. 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. When used property, this is a secure barrier in preventing infants and toddlers from getting into the water.

During Water Safety Month, consider enhancing your pool safety measures. It is easy to add an additional “layer” to your pool safety devices, and doing so will provide you and your family with peace of mind that you are doing everything possible to prevent a drowning accident. Contact a knowledgeable pool safety barrier company to discuss the best options for your property and family.