Mesa nonprofit awards pool fences to 11 families in need

Mesa nonprofit Child Crisis Arizona with SRP and the 493 Firefighter Foundation — which used to be known as United Phoenix Firefighters Charities — have donated pool fences to 11 Valley-wide families.

In the span of two weeks, these fences have found their place in 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, according to a release.

“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,” Caitlin Sageng, senior program director at Child Crisis Arizona, said in the release.

“SRP is deeply committed to improving water safety for the children and families of our community,” Rori Minor, SRP community engagement strategist, said in the release. “As the largest provider of water in the Valley for the past century, continuing our efforts to improve water safety is a top priority not only for us, but also for the 1 million people we serve. Through our partnership with Child Crisis Arizona, we hope to educate families and provide quality resources to help keep our children safe and comfortable around water.”

Fast facts from the Child Crisis Arizona Pool Fence Safety Program for all caregivers:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

“This year we have already seen a record number of drownings,” David J. Ramirez, city of Phoenix firefighter and 493 Foundation program director, said in the release. “I can’t stress enough how crucial it is to keep an eye on children around any body of water at all times. Not only swimming pools but also small plastic pools and tubs. This paired with safety barriers, and teaching kids early water survival skills are the greatest lines of defense against drownings.”

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 .

Go to www.childcrisisaz.org to learn about Child Crisis Arizona.

For more water safety information, go to www.srpnet.com/watersafety .

To learn about 493 Firefighter Foundation, go to www.local493.org .