According to the Red Cross, 70% of child drownings occur during non-swim times and children's natural curiosity often leads them to backyard swimming pools, and most children that drown gain access to the pool through a faulty fence or gate. To help reduce the risk of child drowning the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) has developed 5 layers of protection.
The first and most important layer is a barrier that limits access to the pool and an alarm to alert you if someone enters the pool area unexpectedly. Fencing provides a constant barrier, but the fence is only effective if the gate and gate hardware are in good working order. To raise awareness of the problem and provide education on how to check and maintain a pool gate, D&D Technologies along with the NDPA established Check Your Pool Gate Month, starting on May 1st.
D&D Technologies' pool safety products
The MagnaLatch gate latch and TruClose gate hinge, invented by D&D Technologies, meet all international and local pool safety codes and fulfill all the safety checklist’s requirements. The MagnaLatch is a 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. D&D Technologies gate hardware can be purchased on Amazon or at Home Depot or Lowes.
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 inches
- 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