Pool Covers

Some covers are designed to keep debris out, hold in heat, or reduce evaporation. A safety cover is different. It is designed to prevent someone — especially a child — from getting into the water when the pool is not in use.

A true safety cover stretches tightly across the pool and is anchored to the deck. It is built to support weight and block access to the water below.

If you have a cover, make sure it is a certified safety cover that meets national standards (ASTM F1346). A loose or lightweight cover may look protective, but it will not prevent a child from getting into the water.

Drains

There is a hidden danger in some pools that many homeowners don’t think about: suction from pool drains.

Suction entrapment can occur when a person is held against a drain by the force of circulating water, or when hair, clothing, or a limb gets caught. When this happens, it can be extremely difficult — sometimes impossible — to break free without help.

A tragic example occurred in 2024, when a young child died after becoming trapped in a hotel pool’s suction system.

To help prevent these incidents, public pools are required to use special anti-entrapment drain covers under the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. These covers are designed to reduce suction and prevent someone from becoming trapped.

Residential pools are not always required to meet these same standards — but the risk is still there.

If you own a pool, ask your service professional:

• Are my drain covers up to current safety standards?

• Are they intact and properly installed?

It’s a simple question that can prevent a serious injury.

Electrical Safety and Electroshock Drowning

Electricity and water are a dangerous combination — but problems can still occur in and around pools.

Faulty pool lights, aging wiring, or missing safety devices can allow electrical current to enter the water. When that happens, it can cause serious injury or even death.

One known case involved a teenager who was electrocuted after coming into contact with exposed wiring from a pool light at a hotel pool.

Most of these hazards are preventable.

Your pool’s electrical system should include:

• Proper grounding and bonding

• Working Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs), which shut off power if something goes wrong

• Properly installed and sealed pool lights If your pool is older — or if you’re not sure when it was last checked — it’s worth having a qualified professional inspect it.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, common electrical risks include faulty lighting, aging wiring, and improperly grounded equipment.

A routine inspection can make sure everything is working the way it should — and help keep your pool safe.