| New Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) data shows that between 1999 and 2007
there were 74 reported incidents involving entrapment, resulting in 9 deaths and 63 injuries. Six
of the deaths occurred in pools and three occurred in spas and all of the deaths except for one
involved children 14 or younger. These entrapment incidents involve being trapped by the force
of suction at the drain and can occur because of a broken or missing outlet cover. Also, refer to
the article: "Pool & Spa Safety Act" on page 2 of the April, 2008 BULLETIN
Drowning occurs more commonly when children get access to the pool during a short lapse in
adult supervision. To reduce the risk of drowning, pool owners should adopt several layers of
protection, including physical barriers, such as a fence completely surrounding the pool with
self-closing, self-latching gates to prevent unsupervised access by young children. If the house or
guest room structure forms a side of the barrier, use alarms on doors leading to the pool area
and/or a power safety cover over the pool. This is important in establishments that provide
poolside access from a sliding or other access door. Pay particular attention to the small cottages
with private pools that are present in many resort configurations.
In addition, parents should use these tips to help prevent drowning deaths: (This information
might also be given as part of the safety information provided in the guest room.)
Since every second counts, always look for a missing child in the pool first. Precious time
is often wasted looking for missing children anywhere but in the pool.
Don't leave toys and floats in the pool that can attract young children and cause them to
fall in the water when they reach for the items.
Inspect pools and spas for missing or broken drain covers.
Do not allow children in a pool or spa with missing/broken covers. Inserting an arm or
leg into the opening can result in powerful suction and total body submersion/drowning.
Advise guests to immediately call for maintenance and repair of such a condition and to
not use the pool until correction has been made.
For above-ground and inflatable pools with ladders, remove or secure the ladder when the
pool is not in use.
Again, in addition to taking appropriate action at the property, this is data to be
shared with staff for protection of their families. |
Article
A Pool/Spa Safety Reminder