For parents and children, one of the great joys of summer is the fun of floating, splashing and playing in the cooling water of a swimming pool. This year, the fun can be enjoyed even more through the peace of mind offered by a new law aimed at preventing entrapment dangers in pools and spas.

In 2002, a little girl named Virginia Graeme Baker drowned when she was trapped under water by the force of a hot tub suction drain. She was the granddaughter of former Secretary of State James Baker. This tragedy spurred the creation of the Virginia Graeme Baker (VGB) Act, which now requires commercial pools and spas to be equipped with new, compliant drain covers, and in some cases, secondary anti-entrapment systems that can prevent entrapment. The VGB codes became effective in December 2008 — so pools and spas opening this spring and summer must be in compliance.

Families considering a new backyard pool or spa can rest easy knowing that the Virginia Graeme Baker Act requires that all drain covers installed after Dec. 19, 2008, in the United States must be anti-entrapment compliant. If you have an older pool or spa, you can ask your pool service provider to install a drain cover that meets safety requirements. In most cases, the cost for a new cover is less than $100.

The Northeast Pool and Spa Association has always encouraged homeowners to safeguard their backyard pools and spas with layers of protection. We recommend 14 protective measures, which can be viewed on our website, www.NESPApool.org. We applaud the passing of the VGB Act and the additional layer of safety it offers. As summer swim season approaches, NESPA urges parents to supervise their children's water play at all times and to remember that a fun pool is a safe pool. Doing so will add an extra layer of enjoyment as the kids splash their way through summer.
Lawrence Caniglia
Executive Director
Northeast Spa and Pool
Association
Hamilton