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WORLD FENCE NEWS • NOVEMBER 2014 • 49 LockeyUSA promotes pool safety awareness with launch of PoolSafetyHardware.com Drowning is preventable, but an- nual statistics indicate that action must be taken to combat the staggering number of drowning and near-drown- ing accidents that occur in the United States. The U.S. Consumer Product Safe- ty Commission (CPSC) reports that, each year, there are nearly 400 pool and spa drownings involving children younger than 15-years old. The numbers are unacceptable, but simple, proactive steps can prevent drowning and nea r- d row n- ing accidents before they happen. With the launch of PoolSafetyHardware.com, Lock- eyUSA aims to provide valuable edu- cational resources that can help create safer pools and safer kids. PoolSafetyHardware.com en- courages the implementation of pool safety steps as outlined by the CPSC's Pool Safely campaign. Step 1: Adult supervision. Adult supervision is paramount, and no oth- er pool safety step reduces the impor- tance of proper supervision any time children are in or around the water. Step 2: Fencing and proper gate hardware. Fences should be 4-5 feet tall with gates that are self-closing and self-locking, or self-latching, with a release mechanism that is out of the reach of children. Step 3: Install safe pool and spa covers. Pool and spa covers should be strong enough to hold the weight of a child or children. Step 4: Install alarms. Alarms are available for doors, gates, and even the water, and can alert you when children are in or near the water. Step 5: Install safety drain cov- ers. Public pools are required by fed- eral law to have safety drain covers, but all pools should have them to pre- vent entrapment and entanglement. Step 6: Teach children to swim. Children of all ages should learn to swim, and water safety skills are vital. Step 7: Learn CPR. When ac- cidents happen, it is important to be prepared and know what to do. In addition to educating the pub- lic about important pool safety steps, PoolSafetyHardware.com provides information on pool safety hardware that can be used to comply with the Pool Safely campaign's recommended pool safety steps. Furthermore, the website provides supplemental resources including ac- cess to existing pool safety laws and the latest drowning reports and statis- tics from the CPSC. Speaking about the importance of pool safety awareness and the launch of PoolSafe- tyHardware.com, LockeyUSA Direc- tor of Marketing Evan Crawford com- mented, "There is no single action that can prevent all pool and spa related drownings from occurring, but each pool safety step, in coordination with others, can significantly reduce the risk of drowning and near-drowning accidents. Furthermore, we encourage both adults and children to take the Pool Safely Pledge, acknowledging the importance of their role in creat- ing safer pools and safer kids." LockeyUSA is an American owned and operated manufacturer of door and gate security hardware including mechanical and electronic keyless locks, hydraulic gate closers, and panic exit hardware. LockeyUSA is committed to pool safety education and awareness, acting as a Campaign Safety Leader with the CPSC's Pool Safely campaign, and maintaining a corporate membership with the Na- tional Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA). To learn more about Lockey Door & Gate Security Hardware, visit LockeyUSA.com. Pool Safely is a national public education campaign aimed at reduc- ing childhood drownings, non-fatal submersion injuries and entrapments. Led by the CPSC, the campaign was mandated by the U.S. Congress through the 2008 passage of the Vir- ginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (P&SS Act). The campaign conveys a key message: adding simple safety steps to take in and around the water can make all the difference. You never know which safety step will save a life – until it does. Pool Safe- ly is a call-to-action for Americans to take the Pledge and follow these sim- ple steps to keep children safer in and around pools and spas. To learn more about the Pool Safely campaign, visit PoolSafely.gov. Be Sure To Visit The World Fence News Crew At FENCETECH 2015! Booth No. 925 February 3-6, 2015 Orange Co. Convention Center Orlando, Florida World F ence ews N News from the World of Fencing, Access Control and Security ©