Welcome to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Podcast for July 13, 2007. I’m Patty Davis.
CPSC is reminding parents and caregivers to be aware of the hidden danger of pool and spa drain entrapments. Since 1990, CPSC has reports of 130 people who became entrapped on pool and spa drains or whose hair became entangled in the drain cover, resulting in 27 deaths. According to media reports, a 6 year old Minnesota girl was disemboweled after she sat on a pool filter last month.
The suction from a pool drain can be so powerful that it can hold an adult under water, but most entrapment incidents involve children. CPSC recommends that you have a professional inspect your pool or spa for entrapment hazards.
This inspection should check to make sure appropriate drain covers are in place, and that missing or broken drain covers are replaced, as they are a major reason many entrapment incidents occur. Pool and spa owners can consider installing a Safety Vacuum Release System or SVRS, which detects when a drain is blocked and automatically shuts off the pool pump or interrupts the water circulation to prevent an entrapment.
CPSC’s publication “Guidelines for Entrapment Hazards: Making Pools and Spas Safer” details specific information for pool owners and professionals to reduce entrapment dangers.
CPSC’s “Swimming Pool Safety Alert” provides additional swimming pool and entrapment safety information. Both are available online at www.cpsc.gov.
In recall news this week --
Meyer Corporation recalled about 4,400 BonJour® Professional Culinary Torches. Butane fuel can leak from the torch assembly near the nozzle, posing a fire hazard.
And –
About one million batteries used with power tools were recalled by Milwaukee Electric Tool Co. due to a laceration hazard. The recall involves Milwaukee Power Plus, Chicago Pneumatic, and Extractor 14.4 and 18 volt 2.4 Amp hours NiCd battery packs. If a vent on the battery cell is damaged or compromised during use, the battery can explode and pose a laceration hazard to consumers.
There’s a new way to keep on top of recalls announced by CPSC. Sign up to receive direct e-mail notification at www.cpsc.gov.
That’s it for this week’s edition of CPSC’s podcast. Until next time, stay safe.
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