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DTPR JULY THROUGH AUGUST 2025 / ENTERTAINMENT
As the July and August sun scorches the
Valley of the Sun, Phoenix families flock
to their backyard pools for relief, fun,
& memories. Pools are a cornerstone
of Arizona living, but they come with a
sobering responsibility: ensuring safety
for everyone, from curious toddlers to
active teens and aging grandparents. In
Arizona, drowning remains the leading
cause of accidental death for children
under five, with 2024 data from the U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC) reporting 6,500 nonfatal drowning
injuries annually for kids under 15, 77%
involving those under five. Residential
pools account for 72% of fatal drownings,
making homeowner vigilance critical.
This article dives deep into Arizona’s
pool safety laws, offers practical steps
to prevent injuries across all ages, and
recommends trusted Phoenix vendors
to help you create a secure pool environment.
ARIZONA POOL SAFETY LAWS:
A FOUNDATION OF PROTECTION
Arizona’s pool safety regulations, as they
are outlined in Arizona Revised Statute
36-1681, set strict standards to protect
lives, particularly for pools deeper than
18 inches and wider than eight feet
(unless built before June 2, 1991, or
all residents are over six). These laws
apply to most Phoenix homeowners and
include:
Pool Barriers: A fence, wall, or enclosure
at least 5 feet high must surround the
pool, with no openings larger than 4 inches
to prevent small children from slipping
through. Gates must be self-closing and
self-latching, with latches at least 54
inches above the ground to keep curious
hands out of reach.
Alternative Safety Options: If a home’s
wall forms part of the enclosure, owners
can use a motorized safety pool cover
(meeting ASTM F1346-91 standards),
self-latching door devices, or window
locks at least 54 inches high. Sliding
glass doors accessing the pool must
also be self-closing and self-latching.
Dive Into Safety:
Protecting All Ages with Smart Pool Practices in Phoenix
By Jim Schwartz