http://www.aaapoolservice.comumbracoBlogenhttp://www.aaapoolservice.com/blog/2011/3/1/getting-fit-can-be-fun!.aspx#comment-6http://www.aaapoolservice.com/blog/2011/3/1/getting-fit-can-be-fun!.aspx#comment-6http://www.aaapoolservice.com/blog/2011/3/15/simple-steps-to-a-safer-pool.aspx#comment-8http://www.aaapoolservice.com/blog/2011/3/15/simple-steps-to-a-safer-pool.aspx#comment-8 1) the ones that meet or exceed the ASTM Standards of Safety
2) Have a backup power source in case of power outages
3) Have a sensor that prevents entrapment
4) Have a vacuum over the cover to prevent water accumulation
5) Can support the weight of several adults or even tractors without any problems.

My husband and I live in Northport Village in Long Island, NY, and we are in the process of putting in an all-weather, in-ground SPA. The Village Pool Code applies for SPAs as well, and it states that we must have an enclosure around the spa and equipment only in addition to our already existing 6' perimeter fence with a self-latching gate. Safety of our children and two small dogs, as well as the safety of our friends' children and neighborhood children were our primary concern, and while doing our research we found that today's automatic safety covers that meet the ASTM standards (also called HORRIZONTAL FENCES) provide an unmatched 100% safety record as opposed to the pool enclosures which only provide a 19-80% safety record in preventing drowning. Additionally, as a child, I witnessed the death by drowning of another child at the home of my parents' friends, in a pool that had a pool enclosure identical to the one required by the code, at least 4' tall, with a self-latching gate, with gaps small enough to prevent a child from climbing and the latching feature tall enough so a small child cannot reach it. Unfortunately, the self-latching features are not perfect, malfunction often, and do not last forever. And worse, from a distance, it is difficult to tell whether the gate was properly latched. Because the adults at the party knew that there was a self-latching gate and from a distance it seemed like it was latched, they developed a false sense of security and allowed the child to roam freely through the yard. Whether it was the wind or the child's own ability to pull back the gate that was not properly latched, somehow he got into the pool, and by the time we all noticed he was missing it was too late. The devastation and horror of the scene have stayed with me all my life. It was horrific.

As a result, I do not trust the self-latching gates around pools to protect children from drowning. It seems obvious to me that the automatic safety cover does a much better job by isolating the water completely, making it less likely to attract children to it in the first place, and they support the weight of several adults on top of it so there is no risk of anyone falling in. They also have a backup power source in case of a power outage, and can open or close in seconds with the turn of a key. In addition, it has a sensor that prevents people from being trapped underneath it. Of course the more layers of protection one has the safer they are. However, realistically, there is a serious financial limitation on having to put both the enclosure AND the automatic safety cover in. So if I have to choose between the two, I should be able to choose the safer choice. The problem is, my town does not allow it.

Their code (as it stands) is forcing us to put in the enclosure in order to get the CofO. We feel that we are being forced to choose the less safe choice over the safer one just to meet the code. It seems like a violation of our rights. So we went to the Board of Trustees meeting, and petitioned for an amendment in the code that would allow for either the enclosure or the automatic safety cover to meet the code. We just want them to add the horrizolntal fences as al alternative that also meets the code. They asked for studies indicating that the automatic safety cover is just as safe or safer than the enclosure required in the code. I searched online, and although I found many articles on it confirming that statement, we could not find the printable version of the studies that gave rise to the statistics they speak of all over the Internet, and we need those studies from a credible source in order to be able to choose the safer choice for my family because we cannot afford both.

Please let us know if there is anything you can provide us that can help us accomplish this much needed change.

Thank you very much for your time.

Very truly yours, Scott and Camila

]]>http://www.aaapoolservice.com/blog/2011/3/1/getting-fit-can-be-fun!.aspx#comment-7http://www.aaapoolservice.com/blog/2011/3/1/getting-fit-can-be-fun!.aspx#comment-7http://www.aaapoolservice.com/blog/2011/7/15/fun-pool-games-for-kids-that-wont-break-the-bank.aspx#comment-4http://www.aaapoolservice.com/blog/2011/7/15/fun-pool-games-for-kids-that-wont-break-the-bank.aspx#comment-4http://www.aaapoolservice.com/blog/2012/3/15/5-reasons-to-open-your-pool-sooner-than-later.aspx#comment-18http://www.aaapoolservice.com/blog/2012/3/15/5-reasons-to-open-your-pool-sooner-than-later.aspx#comment-18http://www.aaapoolservice.com/blog/2011/8/15/how-to-drain-an-inground-swimming-pool.aspx#comment-17http://www.aaapoolservice.com/blog/2011/8/15/how-to-drain-an-inground-swimming-pool.aspx#comment-17http://www.aaapoolservice.com/blog/2011/9/30/storing-and-handling-your-swimming-pool-chemicals.aspx#comment-16http://www.aaapoolservice.com/blog/2011/9/30/storing-and-handling-your-swimming-pool-chemicals.aspx#comment-16http://www.aaapoolservice.com/blog/2011/3/1/getting-fit-can-be-fun!.aspx#comment-3http://www.aaapoolservice.com/blog/2011/3/1/getting-fit-can-be-fun!.aspx#comment-3 Thank You AAA Pool Service for getting me and my pool in shape for the summer.
Mike Steurer]]>http://www.aaapoolservice.com/blog/2011/2/8/important-places-to-inspect-when-opening-your-pool.aspx#comment-2http://www.aaapoolservice.com/blog/2011/2/8/important-places-to-inspect-when-opening-your-pool.aspx#comment-2http://www.aaapoolservice.com/blog/2011/2/8/important-places-to-inspect-when-opening-your-pool.aspx#comment-1http://www.aaapoolservice.com/blog/2011/2/8/important-places-to-inspect-when-opening-your-pool.aspx#comment-1