Federal Officials Recall Pool Drain Covers

None — Federal officials are recalling pool drain covers that they say could put swimmers in danger.

Michelle Phillips said she swims in her pool with her 7-year-old nephew all the time. So when Eyewitness New told her there was a safety recall on drain covers and hers could be affected, she said it was concerning.

"It's kind of scary to think about that," Phillips said.

Eyewitness News showed Phillips photos of the eight models that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said could trap swimmers.

SLIDESHOW: Photo Examples Of Recalled Pool Drain Covers

The issue, CPSC officials said, is that the drain covers were incorrectly rated to handle the flow of water through the cover.

CPSC officials said pools with the recalled covers should shut down until they get new ones.

"The pools, as they are now, to me are safe. I don't have that level of concern," said Jim Ericson, Mecklenburg County Environmental Health supervisor. He said the recall doesn't affect large pools, like most of the Park and Recreation pools in Mecklenburg County.

Instead, he said, it applies to drains that are found in private pools, neighborhood pools, wading pools and hot tubs.

Ericson said county pools will not close while inspectors check and replace parts.

"This is not going to be something that's going to be fixed in two days," he said.

Phillips said she'll be checking the make and model of her drain as soon as she can.

If people are concerned, they are advised to call the company that installed their drain cover or contact the manufacturer directly.

The manufacturers with recalled drain covers are A&A Manufacturing; AquaStar Pool Products Inc.; Color Match Pool Fittings; Custom Molded Products; Hayward Pool Products; Pentair Water Pool and Spa; Rising Dragon USA; and Waterway Plastics.

For more information about the recall, click here or call 866-478-3521.

WSOC