U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20207

CPSC Document #5067

Children Drown And More Are Injured From Hair Entrapment In
Drain Covers For Spas, Hot Tubs, And Whirlpool Bathtubs: Safety
Alert

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has reports 
incidents including deaths in which people's hair was sucked into
the suction fitting drain of a spa, hot tub, or whirlpool
bathtub, causing the victims' heads to be held under water. The
suction from drain outlets is strong enough to cause entrapment
of hair or body parts, and drowning. Most accidents with drain
outlets involve people with hair that is shoulder-length or
longer.

Hair entrapment occurs when a bather's hair becomes entangled in
a suction fitting drain cover as the water and hair are drawn
powerfully through the drain. In several incidents, children were
playing a "hold your breath the longest" game, leaning forward in
the water and permitting their long hair to be sucked into the
drain. 

Here are some safety precautions to help prevent hair entrapment
in your spa, hot tub, or whirlpool bathtub:

There is a voluntary standard for drain covers (ASME/ANSI
A112.19.8M-1987) that should help reduce hair entrapment. Ask
your dealer about drain covers that meet this voluntary standard.

Keep long hair away from the suction fitting drain cover. Wear a
bathing cap or pin hair up if you have long hair.

Never allow a child to play in a way that could permit the
child's hair to come near the drain cover. Always supervise
children around a spa, hot tub, whirlpool bathtub, wading pool,
or swimming pool.

If drain cover is missing or broken, shut down the spa until
drain cover is replaced.

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