Checklists for Pool Gates Safety 35 811

Checklists for Pool Gates Safety

Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death in children ages 1 – 4 years. The majority of the children who drown in swimming pools most commonly gain access to the pool area when there is no fence or through a faulty fence or gate.

Combined with constant child supervision and other layers of protection, a possible solution to this issue is physically checking your pool gate and maintaining your pool gate regularly to ensure it self-closes and self-latches at all times.

A gate that doesn’t close or latch properly, because it has moved out of alignment, sags or drags along the ground, is not only frustrating, but unsafe. Gates must be regularly inspected, physically tested and maintained by the homeowner to ensure safety.

A fence is only effective if the gate and gate hardware are functioning properly. Gate latches and hinges must be manually adjustable to accommodate gate movement and gate closing speed. Never prop open a pool gate.

D&D Technologies began as a high-quality swimming pool fence and balustrade company. Because of the poor-quality and ineffective gate latches and hinges being used on such critical applications such as swimming pool fences, D&D invented the MagnaLatch® magnetically triggered adjustable gate latch and TruClose® 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 not physically latched. Pool owners can see at a glance and hear from a distance if their pool gate is not closed or latched.

Safety Checklist for Pool Gates Pool Fence Safety Checklist

• Gate should open outwards, away from pool. • Height of latch release mechanism is 54” from the bottom of the gate (check local codes). • Gate must be self-closing and self-latching. • Hinges should be rust-free and bind-free. • Hinges should be reliable and tension-adjustable for closing speed. • Latch must be adjustable horizontally and vertically to accommodate gate movement. • Gate will latch when latch is in the locked or unlocked position. • Latch cannot be disengaged using implements such as garden or pool tools. • Latch cannot be shaken or jolted open. • Gate will shut and latch securely from any open angle or force. • Complies with all applicable standards, codes, and legislation for pool safety. • Never prop open a gate with objects or toys. • Fence panels should be secure and in good working order. • There should be no gaps or holes in the fence. • Check for missing, loose, or rusted fence screws. • Gap under fence to ground should be less than four inches. • Objects that a child could climb on should be removed. • Remove all toys from the pool so they are not tempting. • Lock all pool chemicals in an area well away from children.

This information is supplied and expressed by D&D Technologies in the interest of consumer and public safety. For specific details relating to fence and gate safety, contact www.CPSC.gov.