Illinois Injury Law Blog

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is concerned over the flow rate testing methods of pool and spa drain covers used by some laboratories. Drain covers must meet compliance standards of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (P&SS Act).

Strict flow rating standards are essential in preventing deadly drain entrapment.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers understand the life changing consequences of encountering a defective product. In this case an enjoyable dip in a pool or spa could turn deadly due to a drain entrapment. Illinois winters are tough on pools and spas -- drains are far from the only hazard. Thorough inspections should be conducted as part of your spring start-up process to reduce the risk of serious or fatal injuries.

Drain entrapment occurs when the powerful suction from the filter pulls a swimmers clothing, hair, jewelry, or even a body part against or into the pool drain. The suction is so strong it forms a lock, which holds the swimmer to the drain, making it almost impossible to free the swimmer. Small children have been disemboweled when they have sat on drains.

Over 17,000 pages of data are being reviewed by CPSC from three of the laboratories that test pool and spa drain covers. The info they are looking at pertains to the testing procedures done on the drain covers, what cover types were tested and the test results.

CPSC is attempting to alert the public by Memorial Day weekend on the type of drain covers that were improperly tested.

Before opening up your pool or spa this season contact your pool/spa manufacturer and determine the type of drain cover you have. Single main drain systems, common with wading pools and shallow kiddie pools, are the type of systems that most run the risk of a potential drain entrapment hazard.

Several years ago the P&SS Act went into effect after the tragic death of Virginia Graeme Baker. She was a 9-year-old who was good at swimming; she got caught in a spa drain and died. This Act requires anti-entrapment drain covers on public spas and pools. These drain covers don't fit flush to the bottom of the pool. Their raised design makes it nearly impossible to be sucked onto the drain when all of the holes are covered at once.

Residential pool owners should have this type of cover as well or turn their filters off when anyone is in the pool.