Grandmother of Four Who Recently Lost Her Son to Gain Peace of Mind Around Family Pool.
Teresa Shields from Phoenix is this week’s recipient of a free pool fence, courtesy of Fulton Homes’ Fence Patrol program. The fence will make Shields’ backyard a safer place for her four young grandchildren. After the death of her son and father of her grandchildren just a few weeks ago, Shields will now take on many parenting responsibilities. She is very worried one of her grandchildren – all under 4 years old – may fall into the pool and drown, but she can’t afford a pool fence on her own. Fulton Homes will install one for her Tuesday, June 14 at 7:00 a.m.
Friend of the family, Cindy Cassidy, nominated Shields for the program. “After the death of her son, Teresa couldn’t bear the loss of a grandchild drowning in her backyard pool,” Cassidy wrote in her nomination letter. “Another death would devastate her.”
“Teresa has just experienced the painful tragedy of losing a son,” said Douglas Fulton, CEO of Fulton Homes. “To lose another family member because of an unfenced pool is unimaginable and completely preventable. We are delighted to help ease her anxiety by providing this crucial safety measure.”
The annual Fence Patrol program, established by Tempe-based Fulton Homes, aims to improve child safety around pools and promote pool safety awareness throughout the summer, when drowning risk is highest.
Arizona Pool Fence Laws state that all residential pools must be enclosed by a barrier. Families with children under six must also have a barrier blocking access to the pool from the house. Some cities allow door alarms in place of the pool barrier. Also, certain homes are exempt depending on when they were built. However, most homes must be brought up to code if remodeled or sold.
Interested parties in the Fulton Homes Fence Patrol have until July 4, 2011 to nominate themselves or someone else for a pool fence, by logging on to www.kmle108.com and clicking on the Fence Patrol icon. For more information call (602) 452-1000 or go to www.fultonhomes.com and click on the “Fulton Foundation” link.