New Law Helps Keep Pools Safe (NAPSA)—Few things are as refreshing as a dip in the pool, but it’s important to always keep safety in mind when you swim— especially if children are around. Drowning is the second-leading cause of accidental death among American children ages 1 to 14. And according to Safe Kids USA, approximately 280 children younger than 5 drown each year in swimmingpools. Because children can drown in a matter of seconds and in aslittle as 2 inches of water, the watchful eye of a parent is the most important elementof pool safety. Rememberthesetips: Always have a landline phone near the pool in case an emergency arises, so 911 can trace the address. Never use a pool or hot tub unless its cover has been completely removed. Be sure children know to never run around a pool. Safer Swimming According to the Pool Safety Council, an organization dedicated to the prevention of child drowning, you should also guard against entrapment—when a pool’s or hot tub’s powerful drain suction traps a swimmer underwater. It’s a step all public pools are now required to take, thanks to a new law, and it could help keep kids safe in your backyard pool as well. When a swimmer becomes trapped to a drain or suction outlet in a swimming pool, spa, wading pool or hot tub, the force of the Safety vacuum release systems can protect against entrapment— an accidental drowning caused by drain suction. filtration system can be overpow- ering. The supercharged suction from drains can be so powerful that even strong swimmers can’t escape, and would-be rescuers are unable to free them. In addition to all public pools being required to install approved anti-entrapment drain covers, all single-drain public pools must also install an anti-entrapment device, such as a safety vacuum release system (SVRS), gravity drainage system, automatic shutoff system or a suction-limiting vent system. An SVRS automatically reacts to the blockage by immediately breaking the vacuum created by the child’s body and releases him instantly. Experts say most public or private pools can install approved safety drain covers and backup layer of protection for about $1,500. For more information andtips, visit www.poolsafetycouncil.org.
