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WASHINGTON — Tens of thousands of public swimming pools and hot tubs could be forced to close Saturday if they do not have new anti-drowning drain covers required under a sweeping law designed to prevent drain suction from trapping children under water.
The rules apply to any pool or spa that is publicly used, including municipal pools and those at hotels, private clubs, apartment buildings and community centers.
Congress passed the law last year requiring the new equipment and gave pool and spa operators a year to comply. Friday is the deadline for installing the new equipment.
Nancy Nord, acting chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, said Monday the agency will focus initially on public baby pools and wading pools specifically designed for small children, as well as in-ground spas that have flat drain grates on the bottom and just one drain system.
“We will be focusing our initial efforts on the littlest swimmers in the littlest pools,” Nord told reporters.