Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/June 3, 2015 – Pool season is open and Hastings Prince Edward Public Health wants people to enjoy their pools without tragedy. Drowning is the second leading cause of inju-ry-related death to Canadian children, with backyard pools being the number one setting where children under 5 years of age most often drown. Research shows that appropriate pool fencing by-laws can help to prevent over half of these tragedies.
“Ideally what is needed is a 4-sided fence that fully encloses the pool area. This fence should be at least 1.2m (4 feet) high and built so that it stops a child from going over, under or through it. Also a gate that is self-closing, self-latching, and locked when the pool is not in use is essential”, says Andrew Landy, Senior Public Health Inspector.
As part of an upcoming public awareness campaign, public health will work with local pool, fencing, and landscaping companies to help make backyard pools safer. We will also encourage our municipalities to review and update their pool fencing by-laws. To learn more, we invite you to visit our website, fenceitup.com
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For more information visit: http://hpepublichealth.ca/home/water-safety
Media contact:
Andrew Landy
Senior Public Health Inspector
Phone: 613-966-5500 or 1-800-267-2803, ext.249
alandy@hpeph.ca