We have previously posted a video in which managing partner David Henson described the new law regarding pool drain covers, designed to prevent injury or entrapment of swimmers. (To see our video, click here: Swimming Pools Need Safety Drains)
Now, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a recall of approximately 1 million in-ground pool and spa drain covers. 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.
According to an article in USA Today:
CPSC Chairwoman Inez Tenenbaum urged public pools with recalled covers to close immediately until they can be replaced. She said private pool owners should contact the maker of their drain cover immediately.
“I know this is a very difficult message for many communities to hear so close to Memorial Day weekend, but we cannot risk a child becoming entrapped in a recalled drain cover,” Tenenbaum said in a speech at a pool safety event Thursday in Chula Vista, Calif.
Pool owners/operators and consumers who have one of the recalled pool or spa drain covers should immediately contact the manufacturer to receive a replacement or retrofit, depending on their make and model. Eight manufacturers are involved in the recall:
| Company | Model Information (websites) | Dates Sold | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| A&A | www.aamfg.com | Dec. 2008 – Apr. 2011 | Replacement or Retrofit |
| AquaStar | www.aquastarpoolproducts.com | Dec. 2008 – Apr.2011 | Replacement or Retrofit |
| Color Match | www.poolfittings.com | Dec. 2008 – Apr. 2011 | Replacement or Retrofit |
| Custom Molded Products | www.c-m-p.com | Dec. 2008 – Apr. 2011 | Replacement or Retrofit |
| Hayward Pool Products | www.hayward-pool.com | Dec. 2008 – Apr. 2011 | Replacement or Retrofit |
| Pentair Water Pool & Spa | www.pentairpool.com | June 2009 – Apr. 2011 | Replacement or Retrofit |
| Rising Dragon | www.risingdragonplastics.com | Dec. 2008 – Apr. 2011 | Replacement or Retrofit |
| Waterway | www.waterwayplastics.com | Dec. 2008 – Apr. 2011 | Replacement or Retrofit |
For additional information, consumers should contact the Drain Cover Recall Hotline toll-free at (866) 478-3521 any time, or visit the Drain Cover Recall website at www.apsp.org/draincoverrecall. Consumers with drain covers from Waterway Plastics should contact the firm toll-free at (866) 719-6044 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT, or visit the manufacturer’s web site at www.waterwayplastics.com.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. You can inform them about your experience with the product on www.saferproducts.gov.
And if you’ve been injured by a malfunctioning pool drain or drain cover and want to investigate your legal options, feel free to contact us anytime at 1-800-4-LAWMED, or visit our website at www.hensonfuerst.com.
If you have questions, HensonFuerst has answers.
