The Consumer Product Safety Commission is recalling about 1 million spa
and pool drain covers due to worries that they may still pose entrapment
and drowning dangers to swimmers. The drain covers were supposed to meet
the new standards established by the federal government in 2008, which
are supposed to prevent a person from getting suctioned into the drain.
Unfortunately, many of the drains have the wrong flow ratings. This defect
could cause serious injury should a swimmer become involved in a drowning
accident after getting caught in the drain.
The companies that made the recalled the drain covers are Color Match,
A & A Manufacturing, Hayward Pool Products, Rising Dragon USA, AquaStar
Pool Products, Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Custom Molded Products, and
Waterway Plastics. CPSC chairwoman Inez Tenenbaum has requested that public
pools with the recalled covers shut down temporarily so that the items
can be repaired, inspected, and/or replaced.
A defective drain cover can allow the suction from the drain to pull a
swimmer into it, causing him/her to become submerged under water and not
be able to surface for air. Kids are especially susceptible to this type
of injury accident. For example, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa
Act is named after the granddaughter of former US Secretary of State James
Baker the III. Virginia was just seven when drowned after she got caught
in a hot tub drain. Adults, however, have also died because they got entrapped
in a pool or spa drain.
Throughout the US, our products liability lawyers represent clients who
have suffered serious injuries or lost a loved one in a swimming pool
or hot tub accident caused by drowning or drain entrapment.
8 manufacturers recall pool, spa drain covers, Sacramento Bee, May 31, 2011
Waterway Plastics Recalls Certain Drain Covers Due to Incorrect Ratings
Covers Pose Possible Entrapment Hazard to Swimmers, CPSC, May 26, 2011
Related Web Resources:
Pool Safety
Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Safety Act
Contact our swimming accident attorneys today.
