Charlotte County Fire & EMS Free Pool Alarms for Families

Charlotte County Fire & EMS is accepting applications through June 23 for five free pool alarms to families at highest risk for child drowning.

The Pool Alarm Assistance Initiative targets households with young children, limited swimming ability, or gaps in existing pool safety measures. Fire Chief and Public Safety Director Matthew McElroy said the alarms provide protection during lapses in supervision.

"Drowning can happen quickly and quietly, often in situations where adults are nearby but distracted for just a moment," McElroy said. "Pool alarms are not a substitute for supervision, but they provide an important additional layer of protection."

Selected households will receive a Poolguard PGRM-2 Pool Alarm, an ASTM-certified device that mounts at the pool edge and detects unintended water entries. The system includes an in-home receiver that alerts caregivers when someone enters the pool.

The department will prioritize applications based on the presence of young children, swimming ability, existing safety measures, and other household risk factors.

Charlotte County Fire & EMS recommends families use multiple protection layers: active supervision, swim lessons, fences with self-closing gates, pool alarms, and CPR training. The department urges families to designate a "Water Watcher" when children swim and never leave children unattended near water.

Applications are available at https://tinyurl.com/CCFEMSPoolAlarmGiveaway. For information, contact Ashley Turner at 941-833-5610 or [email protected].