Pool drain bill introduced in Sacramento

Two state lawmakers introduced a new bill in Sacramento on Tuesday to make swimming pools safer.

  ·  ABC 7 News   ·  Link to Article

Two state lawmakers introduced a new bill in Sacramento on Tuesday to make swimming pools safer. It is a measure that all started with a 7 On Your Side investigation.

It was about one year ago that 7 On Your Side told you about a hidden danger in swimming pools all across the United States. The suction from pool drains can be so strong it can literally entrap a young child's body part and hair.

Between 1999 and 2007 there were 74 incidents of entrapment, including the deaths of nine children under the age of 15. \t

"Suction entrapment will hold the swimmer in its grip, until either the vacuum is broken or the person drowns," says Assemblyman Fiona Ma (D) of San Francisco.

Assemblywoman Fiona Ma of San Francisco vowed to sponsor the bill after seeing our story. The bill will bring California in line with a federal law requiring anti-entrapment covers on pool drains.