Drowning remains the leading cause of death of children 1 to 4 years old and remains among the top five causes of death for children ages 5 to 9 years old. In response to this urgent need Child Crisis Arizona has partnered with SRP, State Farm, the Independent Pool & Spa Service Association Inc. and local firefighter charities to pioneer the Pool Fence Safety Program.

Now in its fourth year, its mission is to equip families with the vital protection they deserve, free of charge. While no single measure can single-handedly avert such tragedies, the program strives to create multiple layers of defense, surrounding children with safety, according to a release.

This year, the program has awarded seven pool fences to families across Chandler, San Tan Valley, Apache Junction and Mesa, including:

• Alfred Rosales and family in Apache Junction;
• Candace Dyal and family in Mesa;
• Erica Culley and family in Chandler;
• Anita Alfaro and family in Chandler;
• Anna Maria Wheatly and family in San Tan Valley; and
• Two others who have foster child situations where names were not released for safety reasons.

In the span of two weeks, fences are finding their place in these families’ backyards, providing safety and peace of mind. These households include families where the grandparents serve as primary caregivers, single-parent households and households where children are in the adoption process, the release states.

According to Child Crisis Arizona’s Pool Fence Safety Program for all caregivers, here are critical ways to keep kids safe around the pool this summer:

• A pool fence should surround all sides of the pool and be at least 5 feet tall with self-closing and self-latching gates.
• Make sure that all furniture is on the inside of the pool fence so that children cannot use it to climb over the fence.
• Ensure that the pool gate is always properly latched and closed and that it is not broken.
• Children should not be able to go under, over, or around the pool fence.
• Never allow a child to sit on or next to a drain. Teach your child not to swim or play near the drain.
• Swim with a partner. Keep young children and weak swimmers within arm’s reach of an adult. Make sure older children swim with a partner every time.
• Children can be small enough to fit through a doggie door when parents are not aware. Lock doggie doors so that it creates a barrier between the child and water.

In addition to hosting the Pool Fence Safety program, Child Crisis Arizona is home to Safe Kids Maricopa County, a local chapter of a worldwide organization aiming to prevent childhood injury and death. Through this program, Child Crisis Arizona offers dozens of no-cost, online, and in-person safety courses including their virtual Water Safety Workshop available online at childcrisisaz.org.