{"id":10168,"date":"2021-12-02T16:46:41","date_gmt":"2021-12-02T21:46:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/environmental-health\/?page_id=10168"},"modified":"2025-08-25T09:56:40","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T13:56:40","slug":"pool-safety-features","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/environmental-health\/environmental-health-services\/swim-healthy\/pool-safety-features\/","title":{"rendered":"Pool Safety Features"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-10168\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-10168-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-10168-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-10168-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pools can be a lot of fun, but they can also present a lot of hazards. Make sure pools have the proper safety features in place to help reduce the risk of injury.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-13105 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/12\/character-g3bf2a228f_1280-231x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"309\" height=\"402\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/12\/character-g3bf2a228f_1280-231x300.png 231w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/12\/character-g3bf2a228f_1280-788x1024.png 788w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/12\/character-g3bf2a228f_1280-768x998.png 768w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/12\/character-g3bf2a228f_1280.png 985w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 309px) 100vw, 309px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Prevent access to the water when the pool is not in use.<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Install and maintain barriers such as four-sided fencing.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Use locks\/alarms for windows and doors.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Remove all toys from the pool area that might attract children to the pool when not in use with adult supervision.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ensure swimmers know the pool depth. <\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Depth markers can help children and parents know where it's safest to swim. Depth markers can also prevent diving injury. No diving in water less than 5 feet!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Swim where a lifeguard is on duty. <\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If a lifeguard is not available, be familiar with lifesaving equipment and how to use it. Know the address of where you are in case you need to call 911.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Stay away from pool chemicals and pool chemical rooms. <\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">While many pool chemicals help keep us safe when in the water, they can cause harm if used improperly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Click on the buttons below to learn about specific pool safety features:<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-10168-0-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-accordion panel-last-child\" data-index=\"1\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-10168-0-0-1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-accordion so-widget-sow-accordion-default-4d9403f55e30-10168\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div>\n\t<div class=\"sow-accordion\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"pool-barriers\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-pool-barriers\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-pool-barriers\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPool Barriers\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-pool-barriers\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-pool-barriers\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">All pools should have barriers to prevent unexpected or accidental entry into the pool area. <strong>Barriers include fences, walls, door alarms for the house, and power safety covers over the pool.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Pool fences<\/strong> should:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Completely surround the pool<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Be at least 4 feet high<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Be constructed so that a child cannot get over, under, or through the fence<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ensure that no permanent structures, equipment, or other objects can be used to climb the fence<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pool fence gates should:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Have a self-closing and self-latching device that is out of reach of children<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Open outward, away from the pool<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_10169\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10169\" style=\"width: 9400px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/Pool-barriers.png\" alt=\"Pictograph depicting safety components of fences and gates.\" width=\"9400\" height=\"1800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/Pool-barriers.png 9400w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/Pool-barriers-300x57.png 300w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/Pool-barriers-1024x196.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/Pool-barriers-768x147.png 768w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/Pool-barriers-1536x294.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/Pool-barriers-2048x392.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 9400px) 100vw, 9400px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10169\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image: https:\/\/www.usfa.fema.gov\/prevention\/outreach\/media\/pictographs\/pictograph76.html<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ideally, the house will not serve as the fourth side of the pool barrier. However, if it does, make sure to install <strong>door alarms<\/strong> on any doors that can lead into the pool area. This will prevent children from accessing the pool unnoticed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Pool covers<\/strong> add an extra layer of safety by ensuring that a child who gains access to the pool unnoticed will not fall into the water.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For above ground pools, ensure that the ladder or stairs into the pool deck are secured, locked, or removed to prevent access to the water. Portable pools, including inflatable and more permanent models, should be fenced, securely covered, or emptied and put away between each use.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For more detailed information, see the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cpsc.gov\/s3fs-public\/362%20Safety%20Barrier%20Guidelines%20for%20Pools.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Consumer Product Safety Commission\u2019s <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Safety Barrier Guidelines for Pools<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"depth-marking\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-depth-marking\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-depth-marking\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDepth Marking\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-depth-marking\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-depth-marking\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Signs or markers should be big enough to be easily seen and maintained so they are readable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13100 size-thumbnail alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/12\/pool-g80996b3d0_1920-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Depth markers should be provided so swimmers know how deep the water is.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13101 size-thumbnail alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/12\/No-diving-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">NO DIVING signs or markers should be located in pool areas with less than 5 feet. No diving in water less than 5 feet deep.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><sub><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Figure 4.5.19.4.1.1 of the MACH Annex<\/span><\/sub><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"life-guards-life-saving-equipment\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-life-guards-life-saving-equipment\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-life-guards-life-saving-equipment\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLife Guards &amp; Life Saving Equipment \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-life-guards-life-saving-equipment\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-life-guards-life-saving-equipment\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Call 911 in the event of an emergency.<\/strong> Know where you are and the address to give to emergency responders.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13102 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/12\/lifeguard-ge8963bbe2_1280-300x204.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"204\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/12\/lifeguard-ge8963bbe2_1280-300x204.png 300w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/12\/lifeguard-ge8963bbe2_1280-1024x698.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/12\/lifeguard-ge8963bbe2_1280-768x523.png 768w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/12\/lifeguard-ge8963bbe2_1280.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Whenever possible, swim where a qualified lifeguard is present. Know where lifeguards are and follow their instructions<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13103 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/12\/hand-g8d32fea8e_1920-300x193.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"193\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/12\/hand-g8d32fea8e_1920-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/12\/hand-g8d32fea8e_1920-1024x660.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/12\/hand-g8d32fea8e_1920-768x495.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/12\/hand-g8d32fea8e_1920-1536x990.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/12\/hand-g8d32fea8e_1920.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pools may have a throwable floatation device, or life ring or buoy, while some might have a rescue tube. Some pools may have a reaching pole, or shepherd\u2019s crook. Be familiar with where these items are and how to use them. Do not enter the water to save someone unless you have been properly trained and certified. Before swimming, learn <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/environmental-health\/environmental-health-services\/swim-healthy\/learn-lifesaving-skills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">lifesaving skills<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"chemical-safety-and-reporting\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-chemical-safety-and-reporting\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-chemical-safety-and-reporting\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChemical Safety and Reporting\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-chemical-safety-and-reporting\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-chemical-safety-and-reporting\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13018 size-thumbnail alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/11\/danger-g6e4789615_1280-1-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pools require chemicals to keep the water clean. Some <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">chemicals <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are dangerous if not handled correctly. Pools should ensure chemicals are properly labeled and kept behind locked doors. Chemicals should never be added to the pool while swimmers are in the water.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/environmental-health\/environmental-health-services\/swim-healthy\/pool-chemical-safety\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">VDH Pool Chemical Safety<\/a> page to learn more!<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pool chlorine levels should be checked daily. Public pools are required to post chlorine levels on a sign at the pool for everyone to see. Safe chlorine levels range from 1.0ppm to 3.0ppm. Check with the pool owner or operator if you have questions about chlorine levels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"pool-and-spa-drain-cover-safety\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-pool-and-spa-drain-cover-safety\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-pool-and-spa-drain-cover-safety\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPool and Spa Drain Cover Safety\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-pool-and-spa-drain-cover-safety\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-pool-and-spa-drain-cover-safety\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-15869 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/blue-g354edf360_1920-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/blue-g354edf360_1920-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/blue-g354edf360_1920-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/blue-g354edf360_1920-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/blue-g354edf360_1920-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/05\/blue-g354edf360_1920.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (15 U.S.C. \u00a7 8001 et seq.), requires that proper pool drain covers and secondary anti-entrapment systems be installed to prevent serious injury or death of pool and spa users. This is important for safety and is required by federal law.<\/p>\n<p>The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reminds all public pool owners and operators of the importance of water and drain safety.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/04\/FY25-VGBA-Drain-Cover-Compliance-Reminder-Letter.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CLICK HERE<\/a> to access the CPSC letter. This letter includes educational materials with images and instructions to assist with conducting safety inspections. Additional pool-related safety resources can be found on the Pool Safely website: https:\/\/www.poolsafely.gov. Pool Safely is a national public education campaign focused on reducing childhood drownings, submersion injuries, and entrapments.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pools can be a lot of fun, but they can also present a lot of hazards. Make sure pools have the proper safety features in place to help reduce the risk of injury.\u00a0 Prevent access to the water when the pool is not in use. Install and maintain barriers such as four-sided fencing. Use locks\/alarms [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":172,"featured_media":0,"parent":8591,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10168","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Pool Safety Features - Environmental Health<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/environmental-health\/environmental-health-services\/swim-healthy\/pool-safety-features\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Pool Safety Features - Environmental Health\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Pools can be a lot of fun, but they can also present a lot of hazards. 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