Child Crisis Arizona awards pool fences to families

Child Crisis Arizona, in partnership with Salt River Project, State Farm and local firefighter charities, has awarded free pool fences to 11 Southeast Valley families through its fifth annual Pool Fence Safety Program.

The installations are taking place in Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, San Tan Valley and Queen Creek. The program targets households with young children and limited resources, including families with grandparents as primary caregivers, single-parent households and those in the adoption process.

“In the span of two weeks, these life-saving barriers are finding their place in family backyards across Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, San Tan Valley and Queen Creek, providing an added layer of safety and peace of mind,” Caitlin Sageng, vice president of program operations at Child Crisis Arizona, said in a release. “This year’s recipients include households where grandparents serve as primary caregivers, single-parent homes, and families navigating the adoption process, all united by a shared need for added protection around water.”

Leidy Barbosa, a Southeast Valley resident and program recipient, said the fence addresses a financial need while improving safety for her child.

“Through Child Crisis Arizona’s Early Head Start program, I learned about the Pool Fence Safety Program and the opportunity to make our home safer for our toddler,” Barbosa said. “As a family living on one income while I search for work, installing a pool fence was simply out of reach financially. This support gives us peace of mind and an added layer of protection for our child.”

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 and remains among the top five causes of death for children ages 5 to 9. Child Crisis Arizona launched the Pool Fence Safety Program five years ago in partnership with SRP to address that risk by providing barriers and safety education.

Program organizers said no single intervention eliminates risk, but multiple prevention strategies — including pool fencing, supervision, swim lessons and water safety education — can help reduce drowning incidents.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to safely enjoy Arizona’s pools, but we know that barriers to safety exist for many families,” Sageng said. “For some, the cost of a properly installed pool fence can be out of reach, even though the need is urgent. Through this program, we are helping create one more layer of protection for children in homes where water access is part of everyday life.”

She added that year-round warm weather and the prevalence of residential pools in Arizona require consistent attention to water safety.

“While no single measure can single-handedly avert tragedy, we know layers of protection matter,” Sageng said. “A properly installed pool fence, paired with active supervision, swim lessons and water safety education, can make a life-saving difference.”

SRP said the program aligns with its broader water safety efforts in the region.

“SRP is deeply committed to improving water safety for the children and families of our community,” said Rori Minor, community engagement strategist at SRP. “Through our partnership with Child Crisis Arizona, we hope to educate families and provide quality resources to help keep children safe and comfortable around water.”

State Farm also supports the initiative through its Good Neighbor program.

“At State Farm, part of our mission is to help people manage the risks of everyday life,” said Elyssa Tapetillo, corporate responsibility analyst at State Farm. “We are proud to support the Pool Fence Safety Program aimed at reducing the risk of drowning.”

Child Crisis Arizona also operates Safe Kids Maricopa County, which offers free safety courses, including water safety workshops available online and in person.

Officials recommend several precautions for pool safety:

• Install a fence at least 5 feet tall that surrounds all sides of the pool, with self-closing and self-latching gates.
• Keep furniture away from the fence to prevent climbing.
• Ensure gates remain closed and latched and are in working order.
• Eliminate gaps that would allow children to go under, over or around the barrier.
• Secure pet doors that could provide access to pool areas.
• Avoid sitting or playing near drains and teach children to do the same.
• Maintain close supervision, keeping young children and weak swimmers within arm’s reach, and ensuring older children swim with a partner.

Program partners said the initiative aims to reduce child drownings through a combination of infrastructure, education and community collaboration.