Public Pools not complying by December
2008 will risk fines or be shut down

By Gazette Staff Writer By Paul Pennington
July 16th, 2008

With the December 18, 2008 deadline for public pool owners to comply with the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) guideline for public pool safety quickly approaching, pool owners must take action to add a third layer of protection to their pools and spas before it is too late. Pools that do not meet the specified guidelines presented by the (CPSC) in June 2008, risk the possibility of being shut down and owners risk being fined over $1 million.

A frightening and often underreported occurrence, suction entrapment can result when a swimmer is “sucked” onto a pool or spa’s powerful water circulation system much like the way the hose of a vacuum cleaner will stick to a person’s palm. The force of this suction can be tremendous – up to 500 pounds of pressure or more for a main drain with a standard pump! Despite this risk, pools can still be enjoyed safely when the proper safety precautions are in place – a stride that the Consumer Product Safety Commission will help to enforce nationwide.

Statistics show that drowning is the second leading cause of death among children ages one to 14. In addition to the basics such as safety fences, pool covers, alarms and drain covers, additional anti-entrapment devices must be added to all public pools and spas.

What do you need to know to be compliant with the Consumer Product Safety Guidelines (Sec. 1404)?

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