Some Pools Present Drowning Risk, Government Warns

Could you or your child be at risk of drowning from being caught in the strong suction force of a drain cover at a local pool or in a spa's hot tub?

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan warned of the danger Friday, saying some pool drain covers could entrap swimmers.

The situation is confusing, because many of the faulty pool drain covers are replacements for those deemed to be dangerous a few years ago.

After 7-year-old Virginia Graeme Baker became trapped underwater by the strong suction of a hot tub drain and drowned in 2002, the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Act was passed in 2007. 

The law requires pool operators, such as park districts, to install types of pool drain covers that prevent people from drowning if they become entrapped. The new covers came on the market around 2008.

This week, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a recall for 1 million of the 2008 and later pool and spa drain covers, saying they were faulty and dangerous in representing a similar drowning risk as the earlier models.

View photos and descriptions of the faulty pool drain covers here.

The CPSC has urged public pool operators to keep their facilities closed until inspections can determine whether the type of drain covers in use are on the recall list, according to Madigan's office.

Madigan advised concerned parents to ask pool operators:

•  Does the pool comply with the Virginia Graeme Baker Act?
•  Is the pool equipped with one of the recalled drain covers?

Patch contacted local pool operators Friday. Here are their responses:

Wilmette Park District: According to Shelagh Donoghue, the park district's communication manager: "The pool drain covers used by the Wilmette Park District are NOT on the recall list issued by CPSC. Our drain covers are in compliance with the requirements outlined by CPSC and we’re looking forward to the opening weekend at Centennial Family Aquatic Center. The weather is another factor altogether!"