On December 19th, 2008 the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGB Act) was enacted. This law requires that all public swimming pools/spas, and new residential construction have main drain and suction outlet covers that comply with the VGB act. Furthermore, it requires that all single main drain systems have an anti-entrapment system in place such as a safety vacuum release system or SVRS.

While existing residential pool owners are not legally bound to comply with this law as of yet, it is highly recommended that the pool be made as safe as possible with as many layers of protection as possible.

The law was named after Virginia Graeme Baker, the 7-year-old granddaughter of former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker. Virginia was at a graduation party with her family playing in a hot tub when at some point the little girl went under the water down near the main drain of the spa. Her body became stuck to the drain cover by the suction of the pump. The force of that suction was so great it took the girls mother, Nancy Baker, and two other adults to pry her from it. When she got to the hospital there was nothing that could be done. Her mother Nancy, along with former Secretary of State James Baker, and Safe Kids USA, worked to create and pass this law in hopes of preventing other entrapment related deaths.

To help you to better understand this new law, and to learn what you can do to make your pool as safe as possible, we recommend that you read over the web links we have provided. You can also find examples of current products that comply with the VGB act. We hope that this information has helped to educate you of the possible risks within your pool. Please call us at (847)-753-9771 to schedule a visit so we can inform you of the specific changes that should be made to your pool and or spa.