A Forgotten Danger: Pool Drain Safety
Pool Safety
Have you heard of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act (VGB Act)? It was enacted in 2007 after a 7-year-old girl named Vigrinia Graeme Baker died due to suction from a malfunctioning drain. The powerful suction was even too much for her mother to pull her away from the drain. It took two additional people to finally pull her away, pulling with so much force that the drain cover broke. But it was too late.
It’s important to note that Virginia was a strong swimmer. She was even a member of the local swimming and diving team. But this couldn’t save her against the strength of the suction from the drain.
After this tragic incident, Virginia’s mother worked tirelessly to lobby the government to make sure other families didn’t have the same experience. As a result, in 2007 the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act (VGB Act) was enacted. This Act requires all public pools and hot tubs to have safety measures in place, including anti-entrapment drain covers.
Video: https://youtu.be/oRLG0iICT4w
The VGB Act only requires public pools and hot tubs to have safety measures in place. That means if your child is swimming at a friend’s house or other private pool, it’s vital to make sure it has safe drains. Even more, teach children to simply avoid drains.
At Texas Swim Academy, our focus is on drowning prevention. Letting parents know about the dangers of drains in pools and hot tubs is an important part of that. It’s often an overlooked danger that doesn’t discriminate based on swimming ability. So, please, before you let your kids go swimming make sure they know to stay away from drains and make sure the pool has anti-entrapment drain covers. It’s one more vital key to keeping kids safe.
SWIM SCHOOL IN KATY
Texas Swim Academy is the best swim school near me offering result-oriented swimming lessons in Katy that cater to all ages and abilities. Our well-trained and experienced swimming instructors provide a variety of programs for infants through adulthood. For the little ones, we offer swimming lessons for babies and swimming lessons for toddlers focused on survival swimming skills to build a strong water safety foundation and foster water confidence at a young age. Once your child knows how to swim, our swim lessons for children will help refine techniques and build endurance, as the consistent practice of their swimming skills is an imperative part of becoming a strong swimmer.
Our adaptive aquatics program is designed for children of all ages and abilities to ensure every child, including children on the autism spectrum, can benefit from these fundamental skills and enjoy the water in a safe and comfortable environment. Adults seeking to improve their swimming prowess or learn how to swim for the first time can enroll in adult swim lessons tailored to their specific goals.
Our swim lessons near me are a convenient and accessible way for you and your family to learn how to swim in a comfortable environment. Our dedicated instructors are passionate about teaching and ensuring your progress in the water. Take a few minutes to view Our Swimmer Stories to learn more about what other families are saying about their experience with Texas Swim Academy.
Contact us to learn more about our programs or stop by our state-of-the-art swimming facility in Katy to register today. Be sure to follow our Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages for important news, updates, and swimming safety tips, and read our blog to keep up-to-date with important information on water safety and proper swimming lessons.