Swimming Pool Drain Covers Recalled

Safety experts say covers were not properly tested and could pose danger

Eight manufacturers have voluntarily recalled about 1 million pool and in-ground spa drain covers because of incorrect water flow ratings.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall Thursday.

The agency says the recalled covers could pose a possible entrapment hazard to swimmers and bathers. They were manufactured between December 2008 and April 2011.

“We tested some of them ourselves. Other laboraties retested them and found that the flow rating was not correct,” said CPSC Chair Inez Tenenbaum. “The flow rate is mislabeled."

DeLee Walker of Fort Worth recently decided to remodel her pool for one main reason -- "safety, safety."

“We wanted to make sure they were safe for anyone who was swimming in the pool," she said.

Now she plans to ask her pool company if her new drain covers need to be repaired or replaced.

“We thought it was all going to be fine,” Walker said. “But now that we hear this, we're going to have to have them checked again.”

No injuries have been reported.

The manufacturers are Arizona-based A&A Manufacturing and Color Match Pool Fittings, California-based AquaStar Pool Products Inc. and Waterway Plastic, Georgia-based Custom Molded Products, New Jersey-based Hayward Pool Products, North Carolina-based Pentair Water Pool and Spa and Tennessee-based Rising Dragon USA.

Consumers who have the recalled drain covers should immediately contact the manufacturer to receive a replacement or retrofit.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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