| Even though pools and spas are designed for swimming/bathing (they all require GFCI protection and proper grounding systems) there are still accidents occurring. These accidents happen inevitably because systems are not up to the current codes and standards, and GFCIs are not tested periodically as required by the manufacturer. |
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- May 19, 2017. Lucas McGrady tried to pull his father Carl McGrady from a residential pool in Florence, Alabama after finding him unresponsive. Carl died that night. Lucas was taken in serious condition to the hospital, and subsequently died.
- September 3, 2016. Rachel Rosoff, a 17 year old lifeguard drowns in North Carolina swimming pool. Fault in pump motor and broken ground connection resulted in death. Person attempting rescue reported feeling tingling sensations when trying to enter the water.
- May 28, 2016. A 34-year old man was found at the bottom of a Wildwood Crest, New Jersey motel pool, unconscious. The exact cause is unknown, but a pool drain is suspected.
- March 27, 2016. Electric shock in pool kills man, injures 5 kids. A father is dead and his daughter is hospitalized in critical condition after suffering an electric shock in a Palm Springs swimming pool on Easter Sunday.
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A Fox News article posted on June 26 highlighted the dangers, and interviewed long-time pool repair person Ron Rhodes. "It should make anyone nervous whenever you are dealing with water and electricity. Lights should be checked before entering the pool; lights should be connected to a ground fault interrupter outlet; all electrical courses like stereos and TVs should be a minimum of five feet away from the water. Have your pool checked once a month, by a reputable company". |
What you should know
Visit www.MikeHolt.com/Swimming Pool Bonding
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"Folks are waking up to the real dangers of electricity and water. As 30 year old pools continue to deteriorate, more accidents will happen. Be smart. Get the pools inspected. Test the GFCIs monthly.
Don't have GFCIs? Call a professional, and don't swim until you are sure your pool meets all the codes and standards." David Rifkin, Electric Shock Drowning Protection Association.
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 Download the free Mike Holt PDF - Article 680 - Swimming Pools, Spas, Hot tubs, based on the 2014 NEC.
Circulate this information to your friends, family and customers - it's still mid-summer and thousands of people are getting out of the heat by jumping into a swimming pool!
Additional Resources:
Electric Shock Drowning: Causes and Prevention by G.S. Cargill III
Electric Shock Drowning FAQs (ESDPA)
Mike Holt Newsletters on ESD
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888.NEC.CODE (632.2633) ▪ www.MikeHolt.com
