Families Get Free Pool Fence Through Save a Life Program
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance has partnered with Life Saver Pool Fence to donate free pool safety barriers to certain families with backyard swimming pools.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, May 15, 2012—Child safety experts agree that one of the best ways to protect toddlers from drowning is to isolate the swimming pool from the house with an effective barrier. But many families don’t realize drowning is swift and silent, or that an unsecured backyard swimming pool is a frequent site for horrific tragedy.
That’s why the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) teamed up with Life Saver Pool Fence Systems, Inc. (Life Saver) on National Water Safety Day, May 15th, to promote the Save a Life Program. The initiative will provide free pool fences to families whose child suffered a non-fatal submersion injury or to families who lost a child to drowning, but have another young child living in the home. Through the program, Life Saver will donate free pool fencing and installation each time a system is sold. The NDPA will help find and select appropriate recipients, while simultaneously promoting pool safety education.
“This is an ambitious program in which the NDPA and Life Saver hope to donate several pool fences each month,” says Eric Lupton, president of Life Saver Systems, a manufacturer of mesh pool safety fencing. “Backyard swimming pools are taking young lives at an alarming rate. We need to think of pools the same way we think of other dangers. If you wouldn’t own a car without seat belts, you shouldn’t own a pool without a safety fence.” He adds that while getting fences around backyard pools is the program’s primary goal, increasing public awareness about the importance of all pool safety steps is equally important.
“Drowning is preventable if you identify the risk and take steps to minimize it,” says Kim Burgess, National Drowning Prevention Alliance executive director. “That’s why we promote the Safer 3 message.”
Follow the Safer 3:
- For Safer Water, prevent unsupervised access to pools and spas by installing four-sided isolation fencing, door alarms or automatic safety covers.
- For Safer Kids, always designate a “Water Watcher” who will remain vigilant and undistracted while supervising children in or near water. Also teach young children about water safety and make sure they learn how to swim.
- For Safer Response, know how to perform CPR and have a phone and rescue equipment by the pool.
Life Saver Pool Fence Systems, Inc. is a Campaign Safety Leader with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Pool Safely campaign.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that fatal drowning remains the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1 to 14. Children ages 1 to 4 have the highest drowning rates. For every child who dies from drowning, it’s estimated that another four receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries. More than half of submersion-injured children require higher levels of care; many sustain permanent, profound brain damage.
For more information visit www.poolfence.com and www.ndpa.org.
bev@payton.com
215-357-5075
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance is a volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2004. NDPA members are dedicated to preventing drowning for all age groups in all bodies of water through public education, advocacy and strategic partnerships. The public is invited to join by visiting NDPA.org.
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