Child Crisis Arizona, in collaboration with partners like Salt River Project (SRP), State Farm, and the 493 Firefighter Foundation, has returned for its 4th Annual Pool Fence Safety Program, offering solace to families through the installation of free pool fences to protect their children. An Arizona family of eight, the Gunnisons, recently expressed their gratitude in an interview with FOX 10 Phoenix as they embraced the security the new addition brought to their home.
Amidst financial constraints and personal tragedy, Jayne Gunnison found a beacon of hope as she applied for the program and was selected to have a pool fence installed at no cost — a safeguard she deemed "priceless," particularly after the harrowing loss of a friend's child to drowning. Gunnison reasoned, "Peace of mind. Peace of mind is, it's priceless. It is truly priceless. I can open my back door and I can let my kids play," she said. Echoing the sentiment of practical safety measures was Caitlin Sageng of Child Crisis Arizona, who stressed the quiet, stealthy nature of drownings and the critical layer of protection a pool barrier provides, as stated in the FOX 10 interview.
With drownings being the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 and remaining a top cause up to age 9, the importance of the Pool Fence Safety Program grows significantly. Apart from fences, the initiative includes a Virtual Water Safety Workshop to augment the knowledge and preparedness among families, as per information gathered by the Peoria Times. "Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 and remains among the top five causes of death for children ages 5 to 9," Sageng explained, highlighting the stakes involved.
To be eligible for the program, families must meet various criteria, including having a child aged 6 or under living at home, being owner-occupiers within Maricopa County, and meeting income qualifications. SRP’s community engagement strategist, Rori Minor, emphasized SRP’s dedication to water safety and community support through such partnerships. The total sponsorship funds reached $45,000, setting a precedent for corporate-social alliances aimed at ameliorating community hazards, as noted by the Peoria Times. Interested families can find the application in both English and Spanish on Child Crisis Arizona’s website, making the program even more accessible to the diverse fabric of the county's residents.
