Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death in children ages 1 – 4 years, with an average of 11 fatal and 22 non-fatal drownings per day. In addition, 70% of child drownings happen during non-swim times. Childrens’ curious nature naturally draws them to the back yard swimming pool, and the majority of children that drown most commonly gain access to the pool area through a faulty fence or gate. The National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) has developed the 5 layers of protection to help reduce the risk of child drowning.
The first layer, and most important layer, is a barrier that limits access and an alarm to alert of any unplanned access to the pool area. Fencing provides a barrier that works 24/7, but a fence is only effective if the gate and gate hardware are in good working order – a properly functioning gate can help prevent drownings. Checking the pool gate is vital to drowning prevention, yet only 30% of pool owners check the safety of their pool gate once a year. Recognizing the need to create awareness of this problem and provide education on how to check and maintain a pool gate, D&D Technologies has brought together the NDPA and several non-profit organizations to establish the Check Your Pool Gate Month beginning the first day of May.
Check Your Pool Gate Month was created to remind pool owners of the vital need to ensure pool fences, gates, latches and hinges are secure and in top working order, with the aim to reduce child drownings by making it harder for them to access the pool. Every pool owner should be confident they have a safe swimming zone. For every 1 child that drowns, another 7 experience a non-fatal drowning – 40% of these children require further care. A few minutes is all it takes for pool owners to check their pool fence and gate, and this simple routine done regularly could help save the life of a child.
Safety checklist for pool gates
- Gate should open outwards, away from the pool
- Gate latch release knob should be out of reach of children under 5. (check local codes/standards from minimum requirements)
- Fence should be at a minimum height to comply with your region and encompass the pool area. (check local codes/standards for minimum requirements)
- Maximum clearance from finished ground surface is no more than 4” (100mm)
- Fence perimeter must have adequate distance from other climbable objects or structures
- Gate must be self-closing and self-latching
- Gate hinges are reliable, self-closing, tension-adjustable, rust free and bind free
- Gate latch must be adjustable for height and width
- Gate latch cannot be key locked in the “open” position
- Gate latch cannot be opened using implements or force
- Gate will shut and latch securely from any position, including from resting on the latching mechanism
- Gate complies with all relevant United States Codes/Standards and legislation for pool safety
If new or replacement gate hardware is needed, install products proven over 35 years, the D&D MagnaLatch® safety gate latch and TruClose® safety gate hinge. The MagnaLatch® gate latch and TruClose® gate hinge, invented by D&D Technologies, meet all international and local pool safety codes, as well as fulfill all the safety checklist’s requirements. The MagnaLatch® is a reliable, adjustable and magnetically triggered self-latching safety gate latch. TruClose® are self-closing, adjustable, polymer safety gate hinges.
The MagnaLatch® ALERT is D&D’s latest pool safety innovation, providing both audible and visual alarms if the gate is left open or not physically latched. Pool owners can see at a glance and hear from a distance if their pool gate is not latched properly.
Together MagnaLatch and TruClose are the world’s most trusted pool safety hardware system, having been installed on gates for over 35 years and saving countless lives.
D&D Technologies gate hardware can be purchased on Amazon or at Home Depot or Lowes. If you cannot fix it call your local contractor to service your gate and ensure the gate is secured while waiting.
For more information on pool safety and compliance visit: https://us.ddtech.com/
For more information on the Layer of Protection visit: https://ndpa.org/
About D&D Technologies
D&D Technologies is the recognized leader in safety and high-performance gate hardware, providing the broadest range of gate hardware for every application. D&D Technologies produces over 350 gate hardware products and has over 35 years of experience in the gate hardware industry. Products include MagnaLatch® magnetic pool and safety gate latches, TruClose® adjustable, self-closing safety gate hinges, LokkLatch® gate latches, SureClose® and Shut It® industrial hinges. D&D’s diversity of products continually set new standards in design, performance, craftsmanship and innovation–tied together by a top level of quality and service. D&D products are rust free and consistently exceed all relevant safety barrier codes around the world for the residential, commercial and industrial markets.
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