Child Drain Danger in Spa, Hot Tub, and Whirlpool Bathtubs

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has reports incidents including deaths in which people's hair was sucked into the suction fitting drain of a spa, hot tub, or whirlpool bathtub, causing the victims' heads to be held under water. The suction from drain outlets is strong enough to cause entrapment of hair or body parts, and drowning. Most accidents with drain outlets involve people with hair that is shoulder-length or longer.

Hair entrapment occurs when a bather's hair becomes entangled in a suction fitting drain cover as the water and hair are drawn powerfully through the drain. In several incidents, children were playing a "hold your breath the longest" game, leaning forward in the water and permitting their long hair to be sucked into the drain.

Here are some safety precautions to help prevent hair entrapment in your spa, hot tub, or whirlpool bathtub:

There is a voluntary standard for drain covers (ASME/ANSI A112.19.8M-1987) that should help reduce hair entrapment. Ask your dealer about drain covers that meet this voluntary standard.

Keep long hair away from the suction fitting drain cover. Wear a bathing cap or pin hair up if you have long hair.

Never allow a child to play in a way that could permit the child's hair to come near the drain cover. Always supervise children around a spa, hot tub, whirlpool bathtub, wading pool, or swimming pool.

If drain cover is missing or broken, shut down the spa until drain cover is replaced.

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