LAW MANDATES RETAILERS TO POST WARNING SIGNS ABOUT INFLATABLE POOLS
COMMITTEE NEWS RELEASE: October 9, 2007
The County Board of Legislators adopted a law tonight that requires retailers that sell inflatable pools to post an advisory that warns consumers of the potential drowning hazard these pools pose to children.
Legislator Vito Pinto (D-Tuckahoe), Legislation Committee Chair, said the measure was an effort to raise awareness among parents that portable/inflatable pools can pose the same risk of drowning as in-ground or other more permanent above ground pools.
"There've been an increasing number of drowning deaths from inflatable pools in the last several years," said Pinto. "The problem is that parents look at inflatable pools like they're toys. Even the state does not classify an inflatable pool as a "swimming pool." The reality is that an inflatable pool can hold hundreds of gallons of water and poses a serious risk of an accidental drowning. We want to make sure parents are more conscious of this risk and the best opportunity we have to make that point is at the time of purchase."
In the United States, children aged four and under have a drowning death rate more than 3 times greater than other age groups, accounting for 80% of home drownings. The number of deaths involving inflatable pools has been steadily increasing, from 10 in 2003 to 17 in 2005.
The inflatable pool warning signs shall be distributed to merchants by the Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection. Repeating violators of the new law will receive fines between $150 and $250. The law will take effect 30 days after enactment.
Text: 
Print:
