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CPSC POOL SAFELY CAMPAIGN PARTNERS WITH INDUSTRY ON EDUCATION AND OUTREACH; Pool and Spa Industry Association to Become Campaign Safety Partner and Serve as Information Hub for Industry and Consumers

Release Date: November 04, 2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announced a strategic partnership with the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP) for the agency’s Pool Safely: Simple Steps Save Lives public safety campaign. Announced at the International Pool, Spa, & Patio Expo in Las Vegas, the partnership includes APSP working with CPSC in 2010 and into 2011 to promote the Pool Safely campaign to the pool and spa industry. As the newest Campaign Safety Partner, APSP will play an important role in helping to reduce the number of drowning, near-drowning, and entrapment incidents each year by working with its members and customers to make compliance with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act and education priorities. This Pool Safely campaign is part of CPSC’s national information and education program associated with the Act.

“The industry will be an important partner in delivering the campaign’s safety message through its national network of pool and spa professionals,” said Kathleen Reilly, CPSC’s Pool Safely Campaign Leader. “We appreciate that APSP will use its role as an industry leader to help promote the Pool Safely campaign and make campaign materials and other resources available to its members and their customers.”

Starting at the International Pool, Spa, & Patio Expo, APSP will provide Pool Safely materials at industry events, in publications, on industry videos, on its website, and through social media channels, such as Facebook and Twitter. In addition, APSP will develop a specific Pool Safely page within the “safety” section of its web site (www.apsp.org), where visitors can find information on the campaign and order campaign materials. Finally, as APSP develops new safety videos for its industry members, it will incorporate Pool Safely messaging and materials into the production of the videos.

“The safe use of pools and spas is a priority for everyone, from companies that build and service pools, to facility management, to parents and individuals who enjoy the benefits of aquatic activities,” said Bill Weber, President and CEO of APSP. “We're proud to partner with CPSC on the Pool Safely campaign and hope the combined efforts of CPSC with the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, along with other organizations, will serve to focus attention on the importance of water safety to all stakeholders.”

In the months leading up to the partnership announcement, the Pool Safely campaign released a series of print and broadcast Public Service Announcements (PSA) and a new educational video. The PSA and the video can be viewed at www.youtube.com/poolsafely. The campaign also debuted a new parent-child activity with tips about pooling safely; the activity can be played on the Pool Safely website at www.poolsafely.gov

The Pool Safely campaign is proud to partner with leading organizations, including American Red Cross, The YMCA of the USA, Safe Kids USA, National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA), Home Safety Council, World Waterpark Association (WWA), Abbey’s Hope, and the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP). For more information, visit the Pool Safely website at www.poolsafely.gov and follow the campaign on Twitter @poolsafely. Campaign photos are available on Flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/poolsafely

About the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP)

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) is the world's largest international trade association representing the swimming pool, spa, and hot tub industry. APSP’s mission is promoting consumer safety and enhancing the business success of its members. Members agree to adhere to a code of business ethics and share a commitment to public health and safety in the use of pools, spas, and hot tubs. APSP member companies include manufacturers, distributors, manufacturers' agents, designers, builders, installers, retailers, and service professionals. For more information visit www.APSP.org

About CPSC

CPSC is an independent federal regulatory agency created by Congress in 1972 “to protect the public against unreasonable risks of injuries and deaths associated with consumer products.” The Pool Safely campaign is designed to raise awareness, support industry compliance with safety standards and improve safety at pools and spas. The campaign was launched in Fort Lauderdale, Florida prior to Memorial Day 2010

Release Number
11-032

About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years. 

Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.

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