October 12, 2007

Contact: Johnny Johnson, President
National Drowning Prevention Alliance
(714) 225-7680

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE admin-k.goffman@ndpa.org

NDPA Urges Passage of Historic Pool Bill

History will be written if the U.S. Senate approves the proposed Pool and Spa Safety Act during a vote scheduled for next week. It will be the first time Congress has ever approved a law regarding swimming pool and spa safety. The National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) is encouraging senators to pass the bill, but with wording similar to HR 1721 passed on October 10.

"A barrier is most effective if it truly prevents access without adult intervention," said Johnny Johnson, NDPA president. "In our busy multi-tasking lives, if we have to remember to manually lock a door or gate, or replace a removable fencing section, there will be times when it is left undone. Caregivers need to utilize the available pool safety options.

"The NDPA believes this federal legislation will provide the framework for continued progress in home water safety for all American citizens," added Johnson. "Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for children in this country and Congress will finally be giving the issue the attention that it deserves."

Legislation that seeks to end hundreds of preventable childhood deaths and injuries each year passed the U.S. House of Representatives on October 10 by a voice vote. The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, H.R. 1721, provides for incentive grants to states that pass legislation implementing layers of protection to help prevent childhood drowning.

This is especially noteworthy because a similar bill narrowly failed passage by the full House in 2006.

"It signifies that the American public cares about water safety, which has been the focus of the NDPA since its inception in 2004," said Johnson. "The bill supports efforts to show individuals, on a broad scale, the proper way to keep children safer around their home pools.

"Any law that promotes safer pools is a good law," said Johnson. "We work very hard every day to promote 'Safer Water, Safer Kids and Safer Response' through a program called 'The Safer 3'. For years, the NDPA has supported efforts to educate
parents and professionals across the nation on this issue, so we are thrilled that the U.S. House is now supporting efforts to make pools safer for children, and we hope the U.S. Senate will see fit to do the same."

For further information, contact NDPA president Johnny Johnson at (714) 225-7680 or visit www.ndpa.org.