Approximately 50,850 pool drain covers have been recalled by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Waterway Plastics, of Oxnard, California, because of a potential entrapment hazard to swimmers. The CPSC says the listed recalled products should stop being used immediately. The government agency added that reselling these products, or trying to resell them is illegal.

Apparently, the recalled products were rated incorrectly regarding the handling of the flow of water through them. There is a real risk that swimmers and bathers could get sucked in and stuck in them.

So far, no reports of anybody being trapped have been registered, the CPSC stressed.

The covers, which vary in shape and size, have the following details molded on them:

  • Model 640-311X, 10″ Round
  • Model 640-81XX V, 8″ Ultra Round
  • Model 640-475X V, 18″ x 18″ Grate and Frame
  • Model 640-470X V, 9″ x 9″ Grate and Frame

These products, which are made in the USA, are not sold directly to consumers. They are sold to independent distributors who sell them on all over the country to builders and professional installers.

Call the manufacturer if you have one of these products in your pool or spa to find out whether it needs to be replaced or retrofitted, CPSC says.

In a communiqué, CPSC wrote:

“Except for kiddie pools, wading pools and in-ground spas, retrofit or replacement of installed covers are not required in pools with multiple drain systems or gravity drainage systems or for covers installed before December 19, 2008.

The following toll-free number from Waterway Plastics is available for those wanting more information: (866) 719-6044, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm (Pacific Time). You can also visit the company’s web site at www.waterwayplastics.com.

Reports of incidents or injuries should be sent to www.saferproducts.gov.

CPSC chairman, Inez Tenenbaum, said:

“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.”

A pool drain can exert approximately 500 pounds of vacuum force, say experts. If one is poorly designed, swimmers, especially young children can become trapped. There have been cases of disembowelment.

CSPS is urging organizations with swimming pools, especially children’s pools and wading pools to respond to the recall as fast as possible.

Source: CSPC

Written by Christian Nordqvist