Drowning is a serious threat to young
children in Arizona. Young children also suffer from a high number of
near drownings that may lead to permanent, severe disability. Most of
these incidents occur in the child's own backyard swimming pool. These
tragedies must be stopped. To that end, the Arizona Legislature has
passed a law requiring that new occupants of dwellings with pools, and
persons having a pool installed, receive this safety message about steps
to prevent drownings and the legal responsibilities of pool ownership.
State of Arizona law requires a
barrier between the house and pool.
(Note: pool means an in-ground or above-ground
swimming pool or other contained body of water 18 or more inches in
depth, wider than 8 feet, and intended for swimming.)
This law applies to home with both a
child under 6 years of age and a pool built after June 1, 1991. This law
aims to impede children's access to their own pools. Likewise, all pools
must have a barrier to keep out uninvited neighborhood children.
Unless a local code provides otherwise*,
the barrier must:
- Entirely enclose the pool area.
- Be at least 5 feet high, measured on the
outside of the barrier.
- Not have openings, handholds or footholds
that can be used to climb the barrier. Wire mesh or chain link fences
shall have a maximum mesh size of 1 3/4 inches measured horizontally.
- Have no openings through which a sphere 4 inches
in diameter can pass. Horizontal components of any barrier shall
be spaced not less than 45 inches apart measured vertically or shall
be placed on the pool side of the barrier which shall have no opening
greater than 1 3/4 inches measured horizontally.
- Be at least 20 inches from the water's edge.
- Prevent direct access from the house to the
pools.
Gates must be self-closing and self-latching with the
latch located at least 54 inches above the ground or on the pool side
with a release mechanism at least 5 inches below the top of the gate and
no opening greater than 1/2 inch within 24 inches of the release
mechanism or be secured by a padlock or similar device which requires a
key, electronic opener or integral combination which can have the latch
at any height. Gates must open outward from the pool.
If a wall of the home forms part of the barrier, one
of the following must be used:
- A barrier at least 4 feet high between the home and
the pool which otherwise meets all of the requirements for a barrier
set forth above.
- A motorized, safety pool cover which does not
require manual operation other than the use of a key switch which
meets the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) emergency
standard 13-89 (now 1346-91).
- Self latching devices on all doors with direct
access to the pool. Such latches shall meet the requirements for
latches on self-closing gates set forth above.
- Emergency escape or rescue windows from sleeping
rooms with access to the pool shall be equipped with a latching device
not less than 54 inches above the floor. All other openable dwelling
unit or guest room windows with similar access shall be equipped with
a screwed-in-place wire mesh screen, or a keyed lock that prevents
opening the window more than 4 inches or a latching device located not
less than 54 inches above the floor.
An above-ground swimming pool shall have non-climable
exterior sides which are a minimum height of 4 feet. Any access ladder
or steps shall be removable without tools and secured in an inaccessible
position with a latching device not less than 54 inches above the ground
when the pool is not in use.
*Phoenix, Peoria, Tucson, and some other cities and
unincorporated areas of Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal counties have
different pool barrier requirements. Check with your city and county
governments to see if they have adopted different pool barrier
requirements. Click here to view
the contact list.
Supervision is the key to prevent drownings
Never leave children unsupervised in the pool or
inside the pool area — not even for a second!
Inform guests to your home of the importance of
closely watching children around water. At parties, make sure someone is
always watching the children around the pool.
Don't count on barriers to keep children from reaching
the pool. No barrier is foolproof. Barriers only slow a child's
access to the pool.
In case of an emergency: act immediately -
- Shout for help.
- Pull the child out of the water.
- Take the child to the phone and dial 911 (or
the local emergency number) for help.
- Check airway and breathing. If needed, start
CPR immediately. CPR can save lives and prevent serious injury.
Other smart tips to protect children around water:
DON'T
- Don't keep toys, tricycles or other playthings in
the pool area. Also, remove items that a child could use to climb over
the barrier.
- Don't be distracted by phone calls, doorbells, or
chores while children are in the pool. Your full attention should be
on the children.
- Don't rely on swimming lessons or "floaties" to
protect your children.
- Don't prop gates open.
DO
- Attend a CPR class. All family members and
baby-sitters should know CPR. For the nearest class, contact your
local fire department.
- Post 911 (or the local emergency number) on all
phones.
- Learn water rescue. Keep lifesaving equipment
mounted near the pool, especially if you can't swim.
- Lock passageways (such as pet doors) leading to the
pool.
- Inspect latches and gates regularly; keep them in
working order.
- Set a good example. Insist on safety around the
pool.
|
