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Unsafe Pool Drain Covers Are a Drowning Hazard

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is currently conducting an investigation into the safety of pool and spa drain covers, and California swimming pool accident lawyers have reason to fear that discrepancies in testing protocols may have made these covers a drowning and entrapment hazard.

As part of the investigation, the agency has been looking at the inadequate testing procedures that were adopted by labs in charge of determining the flow rate of these covers.  The Consumer Product Safety Commission has found that the testing procedures that some of these labs used were inadequate and improper.  As a result, the agency believes that some of the covers that were certified by these labs, may not be safe after all.

According to the Consumer Product  Safety Commission, some of the testing protocols that were used by these labs do not comply with the Virginia Grain Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act:  The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act was promoted by the family of Virginia Baker, a little girl who drowned in her family’s hot tub, after she was trapped by the drain.  Pool and spa drains that have covers with incorrect flow ratings, may not be able to protect persons from such entrapment hazards.   Now, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has found that the labs that were entrusted with determining the safety of the drain covers, may have bungled.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has now approved the issuance of subpoenas to the labs that were in charge of testing the flow rate of the covers.  The subpoena demands information related to the testing protocols, as well as information about the types of pool and spa drain covers that were tested and the results of those tests.  According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, it has already received more than 17,000 pages of documents from manufacturers relating to the agency’s questions.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has been sufficiently concerned about these inadequate testing protocols, to convene a public meeting on 1 April,2011.  During the meeting, the agency will question the labs as well as drain cover manufacturers and other representatives of the industry.  The Consumer Product Safety Commission is expected to release information about the how these tests are conducted, their impact and safety, and the kind of changes that are to be made to the testing procedures to make them compliant with the provisions of the Virginia Grain Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.

There’s a reason why the Consumer Product Safety Commission is speeding up on this very important safety issue.  The Memorial Day holiday weekend is not too many weeks away, and the agency must make sure that consumers are given information about inadequate testing protocols, incorrect safety ratings and any other information they need before the holiday.  In the meantime, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is urging pool owners to get in touch with their service providers and product manufacturers.  Ask for information about the testing and certification of the drain covers that are being used in your pool drain.

The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims, including victims of drowning accidents in Los Angeles. Please visit our website at trlglaw.com. If you desire to discuss a personal injury matter,  you can reach us at The Reeves Law Group , 515 South Flower Street, 36th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071, (213) 271-9318 .

The Reeves Law Group is not representing any party in the matters discussed in this posting.

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