Practice Drain Safety

Teach children to stay away from drains. Be a responsible pool and spa owner.

The Basics

  • Hidden Hazard,” a Drain Safety Explainer from The Zac Foundation and Abbey’s Hope Charitable Foundation, gives an overview of why drains can be dangerous.

  • A defective or out of date pool, hot tub, or spa drain cover may trap a swimmer’s hair, jewelry, clothing, body, or extremities.

  • Teach children about the hazards of drain entrapment. Instruct them not to swim, play near or sit on drains, drain covers or suction outlets.

  • Protect against drain entrapment by only installing drain covers authorized by the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (also known as VGB-compliant drain covers).

  • Know where the shut off switch for the pool, hot tub, or spa is located.

VIDEO: Consider Building a Drainless Pool. (Oasis Pools, YouTube)

Action Items

  1. Check regularly to make sure your drain cover has not been recalled. Recalled Pool & Spa Products. (Pool Safely)

  2. Ensure drain cover design meets up-to-date code requirements. (Pool Safely)

  3. Replace flat drain covers with dome-shaped drain shields.

  4. Learn how to locate and shut off the pool pump.

  5. Install a vacuum release system. If entrapment occurs, the system immediately interrupts suction and halts the pump. (Pool Safely)

  6. Read all the Layers of Protection.

  7. Take and share the Naomi’s Grace Water Safety Quiz.

Dive Deeper

  • Cracked, broken, and missing drain covers create unsafe pools, spas and hot tubs. Older styles may not meet safety code requirements.

  • In-ground hot tubs, wading pools, and pools with flat drain grates or only one main drain system present the largest risk of entrapment.

  • Equip new pools, hot tubs, and spas with multiple drains to reduce the suction of any one drain, or install a drainless pool.

  • Take the free Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act online course (National Swimming Pool Foundation). Learn its compliance and inspection requirements and how to plan and conduct a survey of your pool, hot tub, or spa to certify adherence to the Pool & Spa Safety Act.

  • Consider Additional Entrapment Prevention Options. (Pool Safely)