According to the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act, all public pools and hot tubs (spas) must meet anti-entrapment safety standards by December 19, 2008 or face fines of up to $15 Million per non-compliant occurence and/or possible imprisonment.  As a property manager or board member, we urge you to make sure your building is compliant by installing anti-entrapment drain covers and automatic shut off valves to all pools and spas. 

According to Edward J. Mackoul, President of Mackoul & Associates, Inc., “To install a compliant drain cover and second anti-entrapment system can cost between $1,500 and $3,500 depending on whether both need to be done.  Though that may seem high, it pales in comparison to the cost of defending a lawsuit in the event someone is injured or killed, as was Virginia Graeme Baker.  If complying with the act saves even one life, it’s been worth it.”

The act was passed in memory of Virginia Graeme Baker who never made it past her 7th birthday because she was trapped to non-compliant drain cover and could not be saved.  Let’s make a vow that we will never let this happen to another child.

Read the entire article as published in the March issue of The Cooperator:
Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act