Goodyear mother of 8 thrilled to win pool fence

Fulton Homes submitted this news item and photograph.

Toni Zoll of Goodyear received an early Mother's Day gift Thursday as the recipient of the Fulton Homes Fence Patrol award.

The mother of eight entered and won the Fence Patrol contest co-hosted by KMLE Country and Ironman Pool Fences. In its eighth year, the program builds free pool fences for deserving families, while informing the public about the importance of pool safety in Arizona.

Representatives of the Fulton Homes Fence Patrol, including Jim Gemmell of Ironman Pool Fences, and KMLE-FM were on hand to install the pool fence for Zoll.

"I am so happy about winning this fence," said Zoll, whose family recently found that the required pool safety lock they purchased for the back door was not enough of a safeguard for the children.

"We have eight children, our oldest is 19 and our youngest is five, and he cannot swim," said Zoll. "The safety latch sounds like a good idea, but with older children able to go in and out, younger children can slip through the door with them.

"I always worried about my younger children. I was so concerned that someone would go outside and the door wouldn't latch properly behind them. I had gotten to the point that I wouldn't let any of them go outside."

Doug Fulton, chief executive officer of Fulton Homes, said:

"Pool fences are an important safety measure around pools. That is why Fulton Homes is working to give worthy families pool fences this summer and help keep Arizona's children safe around water."

Valley residents have until July 4 to nominate themselves or someone else for a pool fence. Nominations can be submitted at www.fultonhomes.com.

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