AR HR1019

Arkansas ranks seventh among states for drowning-related deaths in children under 17 years old, with a drowning rate 60% higher than the national average

Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury and death for children in Arkansas, with ages 1-4 years most likely to drown in residential pools

Effective pool barriers must be at least 4 feet in height, have no horizontal open spaces greater than 4 inches in width, and no more than 4 inches of space between the barrier bottom and ground or pool deck

The Department of Health is encouraged to develop and provide educational materials about residential swimming pool barriers and other safety measures for pool owners

The House of Representatives encourages and promotes residential swimming pool safety awareness to reduce preventable accidental drowning deaths of children under 5 years old