Families receive complimentary pool fences

Buckeye resident Tarry Weatherly is a devoted grandmother with a heart as vast as her bustling home. Amid the joyful chaos of caring for her six grandchildren, one of whom navigates life in a wheelchair due to cerebral palsy, Weatherly stands resilient alongside her husband, a disabled veteran, her daughter, and an ailing aunt.

However, their home lacked a crucial safety feature — a pool fence.

“Drowning remains the leading cause of death of children 1 to 4 years old and remains among the top five causes of death for children ages 5 to 9 years old,” said Caitlin Sageng, senior program director at Child Crisis Arizona. 

“In response to this urgent need, three years ago, we partnered with SRP and the United Phoenix Firefighters Charities, now known as the 493 Firefighter Foundation, to pioneer the Pool Fence Safety Program. Our mission? To equip families like the Weatherlys with the vital protection they deserve, free of charge.”

While no single measure can single-handedly avert such tragedies, the program strives to create multiple layers of defense, surrounding children with safety.

This year, Child Crisis Arizona gave the Weatherlys and 10 other Valley pool fences. In two weeks, fences were installed in 11 backyards, providing safety and peace of mind. These households include families where the grandparents serve as primary caregivers, single-parent households, and households where children are in the adoption process.