Don’t Swim With Shocks - CPSC, American Red Cross Warn of Electrocutions in Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs and Spas
Press Release # 03-125
Transcript
Chairman Hal Stratton speaks, "We are most concerned about faulty underwater lights, aging wiring that hasn't been inspected in years, the use of ungrounded pool cleaning equipment, and electrical appliances such as radios and power tools that are placed too close to the water."
"The US Consumer Product Safety Commission strongly encourages residential and commercial pool owners and operators to have the pool's electrical equipment inspected by a licensed electrician, especially if your pool or hot tub is more than 10 years old."
"The best protection against shocks is inspection, detection, and correction of electrical hazards, especially in older pools, where wiring may be damaged and not protected with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters."
Spanish Version
La Comisión para la Seguridad de los Productos de Consumo de los Estados Unidos está lanzando la campaña "No Nades con Descargas Eléctricas" para alertar a los consumidores sobre los peligros escondidos de las piscinas, spas o jacuzzis que tengan componentes eléctricos viejos o defectuosos.
Para prevenir tragedias innecesarias, los consumidores deben hacer que un electricista autorizado inspeccione las luces que se encuentren bajo agua y el cableado viejo alrededor de su piscina, spa o jacuzzi. Es importante también, que las personas recuerden que los aparatos eléctricos como radios y herramientas, no se deben usar cerca del agua.
Los dispositivos de seguridad más óptimos para actualizar las luces, interruptores y enchufes eléctricos alrededor de su piscina, spa o jacuzzi son los interruptores de circuito de falla a tierra. Instálelos para así prevenir electrocuciones.
Footage of electrically unsafe swimming areas including overhead power lines near water, faulty or damaged underwater lights, old or damaged junction boxes, and electrical equipment to close to water.
Footage of electrically safe swimming pools including safe underwater lights, ground fault circuit interruptors, and battery operated equipment.
TEXT: The CPSC and the American Red Cross are also warning swimmers that electrical hazards around a pool, hot tub or spa can lead to multiple deaths or injuries. This occurs when an individual becomes incapacitated by strong current on the water and one or more persons jump in or reach out to save the victim, resulting in multiple electrocution or serious shocks.
Parents and pool owners should have an emergency plan, posted in the pool area, to safely help someone who is suffering an electrical shock. This action is necessary to prevent the victim from drowning and to protect others from the harm of electrical energy in or around the pool.
In an emergency, the American Red Cross recommends turning off all power; using a fiberglass hook to carefully remove the victim(s) from the water; administering CPR; and calling 911.
Footage of unsafe rescue methods for someone suffering a shock including views of a man attempting to perform a rescue with an aluminum pole while barefoot and touching the victim while the victim is still in the water.
Footage of safe rescue methods for someone suffering a shock including views of a man wearing rubber soled shoes attempting a rescue."
Rescuer says "Turn off the power!" and the says "Call 911!"
TEXT: For more information about electrical safety in and around pools, hot tubs, and spas, consumers should call CPSC at (800) 638-2772 or log on to www.cpsc.gov.
End.