The Consumer Product Safety Commission is recalling 1 million grates because they were incorrectly marked. There's a vacuum effect in drains with improper grates, and it can create enough suction to trap swimmers, especially children, at the bottom of a pool.
Most of these drain covers were installed as part of a new law designed to promote drain safety. Here in Illinois, state officials say they'll send a notice to public pool operators next week and inspect pool grates during this year's normal inspections to make sure they're safe.
