Pool safety bill treading water

n this era of extreme partisan politics, we are happy to cite an issue -- a product-safety issue, no less -- that has brought  Republicans and Democrats together.

Last week, the Senate Commerce Committee unanimously approved a bill to reduce the risks of drowning and entrapment in swimming pools and spas. The measure was prompted in large part by the tragic death of Virginia Graeme Baker, the granddaughter of former Secretary of State James Baker. The young Baker died four years ago at the age of seven after becoming entrapped in a spa drain; it took several adults to help pry her free from the force of the drain; unfortunately, they were not in time to save her.

The bill approved last week requires anti-entrapment drain covers on all pools and spas. It also creates incentive grants to states that pass laws requiring safeguards to prevent drowning, drain entrapment and entanglement in swimming pools and spas.

Drowning remains the leading cause of accidental death among children ages one to four, according to Safe Kids Worldwide, a nonprofit group that has been pushing for the legislation. In congressional testimony last spring, the CPSC said it was aware of 74 cases of body entrapment, including 13 deaths between 1990 and 2004. These deaths were the result of drowning after the body, or a limb, was held against a drain by the suction of the circulation pump. CPSC said it also knew of 43 incidents of hair entanglement in pools, spas and hot tubs between 1990 and 2004.  Twelve of these incidents resulted in drowning deaths as a result of hair becoming entangled in drain grates.

Although the measure has bipartisan support, it has to overcome some strong currents if it is to be passed this year. The Senate left for its election recess last week without taking up the measure. And it's unclear if it will be considered if Congress returns for a lame-duck session. If so, "it's possible that the bill could be taken up at that time -- or reintroduced next year," said David Snepp, spokesman for Sen. George Allen (R-Va.), the bill's sponsor.   

Although horrific, drain entrapment occurs rarely compared to drowning of unsupervised children falling into a pool. Though CU supports the legislation that requires safer pool and spa drains, even more deaths could be prevented if all pools and spas were required to have recommended layers of protection, including a 48" nonclimbable fence with a self-closing, self-latching lockable gate, a pool safety cover, and an effective pool alarm.   

Meanwhile, parents and caretakers also need to be vigilant about other water hazards around the home. More on that next week.

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