Check drains to ensure safe pool season
Editor’s note: Rene Hopkins of Safe Kids East Central, submitted the following information.
When parents think about pool safety, the most common fear is drowning. But another danger lies in a seemingly harmless source.
Small drains in pools and hot tubs can have powerful suction, grabbing onto hair, clothing, jewelry and even body parts, trapping the victim down in the water or causing other injury. Parents and those who manage community pools should take the following precautions against this preventable cause of tragedy:
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Know the location of the main pump’s shut-off switch and make sure it is accessible, not behind a locked door.
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Ensure pools have domed drain covers, which help prevent entrapment.
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Ensure pools and hot tubs have multiple drains and drain covers as required by safety standards. Multiple drains reduce the risk of strong suction resulting from a blocked drain.
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Educate children about the dangers of drains, and do not allow them to sit or place a body part or hair near the drain. Children with long hair should wear a bathing cap or pin their hair.
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Check that drainage flow does not exceed the maximum flow rate and that drain covers have small openings to reduce risk of hair entanglement.
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Check drain covers throughout the year to ensure they are not cracked or missing, and have a professional check your pool or hot tub regularly to ensure good working condition.
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Shut down the pool or hot tub if drain covers are missing or broken, and keep it closed until drain covers are repaired.
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Make sure at least one adult actively supervises children when they are in a pool or hot tub. This means actively watching children at all times, not reading a book or having a conversation with another adult. Remember, entrapment and drowning can happen in a matter of moments.