Prevent Entrapment Injuries and Drowning Accidents
Advice from the Dept. of Health
With the end of summer approaching and homeowners preparing to close their pools and spas, the Putnam County Department of Health would like Putnam residents to be aware of important information regarding pool and spa drains.
The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act passed December 19, 2007 warns pool owners of the potential for entrapment injuries and deaths from strong suction (up to 700 pounds per square inch) from main drains at swimming pools, spa pools and wading pools.
In December of 2007, federal legislation was passed in response to 74 incidents of entrapment including 13 deaths from body entrapment, hair entrapment, and evisceration from January 1990 through August 2004 in the United States. The law requires public pools to provide anti-entrapment main drain grates as well as suction release or pump turnoff systems for pools with single main drains.
The Health Department is recommending that private pool owners take similar action to prevent injuries and drowning deaths at their pools by changing all main drain grates to an anti-entrapment design. Also, all single drain pools should have a suction release or automatic pump shut-off system. Please take the time to carefully review your pool and spa drains and evaluate whether you need to purchase covers to prevent injuries and drowning accidents.
Contact your pool installer or manufacturer for specific details. If you need any additional information about the law, please call the Health Department's Environmental Health Water Section at 845- 225-5186.
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