Swimming Pool Drain Cover Recall -- Immediate Action Required

Today, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of about 1 million swimming pool and spa drain covers that were sold from December, 2008 through April, 2011. You can read the CPSC’s press release announcing the recall here. The press release states that the recalled drain covers were incorrectly rated to handle the flow of water through the cover, which could pose a possible entrapment hazard to swimmers and bathers.

Municipalities that operate swimming pools will remember the rush to comply with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. This Act established December 19, 2008 as the date by which swimming pools had to have approved anti-entrapment drain covers installed. Timely compliance was made difficult by the scarcity of complying drain covers.

Please make your personnel in charge of aquatics maintenance aware of this recall right away. (We've sent an email to CIRSA loss control contacts). The links in the CPSC press release will help you ascertain whether your drain covers are part of the recall, and if so, whom to contact regarding replacement or retrofit. There is also a Drain Cover Recall Hotline at 866-478-3521 that is open any time, or visit the Drain Cover Recall Website here.