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The Importance of Child Safety Pool Fences

May 22, 2015
According to the Drowning Prevention Division of the Florida Department of Health "Florida loses more children under age five to drowning than any other state. Annually in Florida, enough children to fill three to four preschool classrooms drown and do not live to see their fifth birthday.

Florida overwhelmingly has the highest unintentional drowning rate in the nation for the 1–4 year old age group in 2010 with a drowning rate of 7.29 per 100,000 population. Florida also had the highest drowning number and rate in the nation for the 1–14 population in 2010 with a drowning rate of 2.67 per 100,000 population."
 
One of the the main factors that affect drowning risks are lack of barriers. For families with swimming pools at home, the Center of Disease Control and Prevention makes the following suggestion:

"Install Four-Sided Fencing. Install a four-sided pool fence that completely separates the pool area from the house and yard. The fence should be at least 4 feet high. Use self-closing and self-latching gates that open outward with latches that are out of reach of children. Also, consider additional barriers such as automatic door locks and alarms to prevent access or alert you if someone enters the pool area."
 
For your reference, here is a list of local pool fencing companies:
  • Baby Guard Fences: 561-333-1979
  • Pool Fence Florida: 561-689-7400
  • Pool Barrier: 561-841-0800