Pool & Spa Drain Covers
Spot it
A cracked, missing or loose drain cover in a pool or spa; a replacement cover with no compliance marking or model information you can look up; a hot tub or pool where kids play near the drain.
Fix it
CPSC's Pool Safely campaign rests on Section 1407 of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. Its advice: make sure the pools and spas your family uses have drain covers that comply with federal safety standards, ask your pool service provider if you're unsure, and keep children away from drains, pipes and other openings so they can't be trapped. CPSC has also warned consumers to stop using specific drain covers that violate the Act, so check the cover brand and model against CPSC's current warnings. At a public pool or hot tub, it is fair to ask staff whether the covers are compliant and in good repair.
Safer swaps
What actually fixes this — the category to look for, not a brand we were paid to name.
Tell kids the drains, pipes and openings are off-limitsHabit
Free; CPSC says to keep children away from drains, pipes and other openings (the wording is ours)
Check your cover brand and model against CPSC's current warningsHabit
Free; CPSC has told consumers to stop using specific non-compliant drain covers
Ask a pool service professional to confirm your drain covers meet the federal standard and replace any that don'tService
Pool Safely's own suggestion when you're unsure; no provider is named here
No shopping list for this hazard — the fix is a habit, not a purchase.
Related checks
- Pool & Spa Barriers, Gates & Alarms — Fences, gates and alarms keep children out of the water to begin with.