Utah Valley Times

U.S. Representatives John Curtis and Jared Huffman have introduced the Alex Gate Safety Act, a legislative proposal aimed at preventing accidents caused by poorly designed or maintained gates. The bill instructs the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish mandatory rules and conduct an awareness campaign to ensure gates comply with updated safety standards.

The act is named in memory of seven-year-old Alex Quanbeck, who tragically died when a gate fell on him during recess at school. "Simple, affordable safety mechanisms, like fall stop posts, can prevent tragic accidents," said Rep. Curtis. He emphasized the need for industry standards to save lives and prevent heartbreak.

Rep. Huffman added that gates intended to protect children often pose risks due to inadequate safety features. He stated that Alex's death could have been avoided with simple safety measures costing less than $50.

In another incident in 2020, Esther Nakajjigo was killed when an unsecured gate swung into her car at Arches National Park. These cases highlight the dangers posed by faulty gates in various settings.

Consumer advocates and industry professionals have collaborated to update voluntary industry standards. The Alex Gate Safety Act seeks federal support for these efforts through legislation.

Eric and Dayna Quanbeck, parents of Alex and founders of the Hummingbird Alliance, expressed their support for the bill: "No family should have to endure the tragedy of a preventable death." Michael Reed from the American Fence Association praised the bipartisan effort as well.

Marin County Superintendent John Carroll noted that many suffer injuries or deaths due to unsafe gates annually. Robert F. Epstein from San Rafael highlighted local efforts inspired by Alex's case but called for broader action from Congress.

Ben Shirley from ASTM mentioned updates made within their organization to address safety concerns, while Dave Monsour from DASMA emphasized collaborative efforts in crafting effective code language for gate safety improvements.

The proposed act directs CPSC to enforce new gate standards ensuring they do not fall more than 45 degrees when detached and include specific safety features like positive stops and covered wheels. Additionally, it mandates an educational campaign about gate-related risks and prevention methods.