FENCING STILL TOUTED AS TOP RANKING POOL BARRIER

Isolation fencing was cited as the most effective barrier for preventing the drowning of young children numerous times during the 6th Annual National Drowning Prevention Symposium, held April 25 & 26 in Phoenix.

Keynote speakers, health professionals, fire fighters/paramedics who are "first responders" to drownings and other safety advocates reminded attendees that parents must put barriers between their homes and pools for those moments when they lose eye-to-eye contact with their young children.

D&D Technologies, makers of the Magna-Latch® magnetic pool and child safety gate latch and Tru-Close® self-closing hinges, was the Diamond Sponsor of the event, which was a combined effort of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) and the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Central Arizona (DPCCA).

Over 150 attended the symposium, including fire fighters, health educators, parents of children who've drowned, industry representatives and other water safety advocates.

Presenting Sponsor for the 2007 symposium was The Safer 3 Program of the Swim for Life Foundation. The Safer 3 Program supports "Safer Kids, Safer Water and Safer Response" (www.safer3.org), and encompasses clever songs and lyrics that appeal to children, along with materials targeted to adults. The Safer Water segment of the program promotes the use of barriers around pools.

Guardian Pool Fence Systems, Inc. was a Silver Sponsor of the 2007 event.

Few eyes were dry when Keynote Speaker Nancy Baker described the tragic day five years ago when her daughter Graeme drowned after being entrapped on the drain of a spa. Graeme was also the granddaughter of former Secretary of State James Baker, and subsequently, the Baker family, working with Safe Kids Worldwide and the office of Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, has led the effort to pass legislation requiring anti-entrapment devices and promoting the use of barriers and other layers of protection around all swimming pools and spas.

The "Pool & Spa Safety Act" was passed by the Senate in the last session of Congress, but failed a vote in the House of Representatives by a slim margin. The bill was re-introduced into the House in late March, with the first hearing slated for mid-May.

Alan Korn, director of public policy & general counsel for Safe Kids Worldwide also addressed symposium attendees regarding the pending legislation. He urged all to get involved by sending letters to their local legislators in support of the Pool & Spa Safety Act, which will provide incentives to states that have enacted legislation that meets the guidelines set forth in the Act.

Maureen Williams of D&D Technologies spoke on a panel discussion, "Understanding and Meeting the Requirements of National Legislation." She addressed the benefits as well as types of isolation fencing around swimming pools.

The 7th Annual National Drowning Prevention Symposium will be held in the spring of 2008 in Southern California. Members of the fencing industry are encouraged to get involved in both the NDPA and symposium planning/sponsorship. For details, contact Maureen Williams at (800) 716-0888, ext. 292, or at mwilliams@ddtechusa.com, or visit www.ndpa.org.