There’s nothing quite like taking a dip in the pool on a hot summer day. But it’s important to follow water safety guidelines and be aware of pool dangers.
For example, diving in shallow water can cause serious swimming pool accidents. But one piece of pool safety that is often overlooked is the potential for injuries caused by the pool drain.
Pool Drain Dangers
Since pool drains use a lot of suction to drain the pool and allow water to be filters, swimming or playing too close to them can put individuals (especially children) at risk for injuries. If a person gets too close to all that suction, it can be difficult or even impossible to remove them.
Most pool drains come equipped with grates. However, when the holes on the grates are too big, fingers or toes may get trapped in the drain. Drowning, near-drowning, and brain damage are all real risks associated with pool drains.
For children ages 1-4, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that 75% of reported fatal drownings between 2016-2018 involved children under 5 years of age. 83% of these drownings occurred at residential pools, underscoring the importance of taking precautions to help kids stay safe in the water.
Preventing Pool Drain Injuries
The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGB Act) was passed in 2007. It requires all public swimming pools in the United States to include backup anti-entrapment systems to prevent the risks of pool drain suction injuries.
The CPSC is seeking applications for the Pool Safely Grant Program with the goal of helping state and local governments reduce deaths and injuries from drowning and drain entrapment in pools and spas. The grant program is made possible through the VGB Act.
Liability in Pool Drain Suction Accidents
Public swimming pools and spas must have backup anti-entrapment systems and follow other rules, like providing lifeguards or posting that lifeguards are not present. Failure to comply with public pool safety rules that results in injury means that the pool owner will likely be seen as negligent.
Homeowners aren’t required to follow the same regulations as public pools, but there is still a duty to correct or warn of dangerous conditions. In some cases, the manufacturer could be held responsible if a drain is defective or designed dangerously.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact the Schuerman Law office today. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. John Schuerman will compassionately advocate for injured individuals as well as their families while fighting for full compensation of their claims. Schuerman Law offers evening and weekend appointments in addition to home and hospital visits. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-274-0045.
