Feature Story

October 2019

CPSC Awards Pool Safely Grants

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recently announced the awardees of its Pool Safely Grant Program (PSGP), which aims to prevent pool and spa drownings, as well as drain entrapments. Five state and local governments were selected by the CPSC to receive around $1.1 million in FY 2019 PSGP grant funds, which will provide them with assistance for education, training and enforcement of pool safety requirements that are intended to save lives and prevent serious injuries.

"Drowning remains the No. 1 cause of unintentional death to children ages 1 to 4. We know drownings can be prevented. However, the problem cannot be solved alone," said CPSC Acting Chairman Ann Marie Buerkle, announcing the grants. "These grants will help save lives and prevent injuries associated with drownings and drain entrapments. These financial awards will be used in local communities to reduce these tragic deaths and injuries."

The grants were awarded to:

• Florida Department of Health ($250,000)
• Virginia Department of Health ($250,000)
• Rhode Island Department of Health ($250,000)
• City of North Las Vegas, Nev. ($123,532)
• City of Columbus, Ohio ($250,000)

The grant program is authorized through the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGB Act), which was passed by Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush in December 2007. The PSGP seeks to provide state and local governments with assistance for education, training and enforcement of pool safety requirements.

"Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death among preschool-age children, and are entirely preventable. We must do all we can to prevent them. These Pool Safely grants can build on the steps that have been taken through the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act to give communities tools to promote safety in and around the water," said U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), who authored the VGB Act. "I commend the recipients for all their efforts to keep swimmers safe, and I thank the CPSC for implementing this critical program and continuing this essential work to save children's lives."

To learn more about the grant program or the VGB Act, visit www.poolsafely.gov.