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Protecting Swimmers From Danger By Paul Pennington SWIMMING pools have always been associated with summertime fun and relaxation for families across the country - until the unthinkable happens. At a quiet pool in Panorama City, young Jessica Balcazar, 11, was enjoying an afternoon of swimming with her friend when she became pinned to the bottom of a hot tub and nearly drowned as a result of suction entrapment. With more children drowning as a result of suction entrapment, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently released its guidance document outlining new safety standards as per the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, which affects all public pools and spas. Not all children are as lucky as Jessica Balcazar, who was saved after being underwater for over 2 minutes by her quick-thinking friend, who promptly turned the spa off. 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 and devices are in place. The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act was
a necessary step toward eliminating the risk of entrapment in pools and
spas around the country. Unfortunately, there continues This law preempts all state laws regulating public pools. Those not complying risk fines up to $1.8 million and/or criminal prosecution, after December 18, 2008. According to the Pool Safety Consortium, 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.
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More ARTICLES: Top Story: New pool rules: A $29 million pain in the drain? Top Story: A Dangerous Gap in Pool Safety Pool Safety Means Common Sense - Not Nonsense Basin girl dies in a pool in Mexico Family
warns of pool dangers after girl dies She
Died in My Arms, A Mother's Mission Minimum
State Requirements Pool
Safety Act to go in effect in December Pool
arrest highlights drain dangers Investigations
expose pool dangers
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