Delaware Coalition for Injury Prevention
Drowning Prevention Team
Team Leader:
Marie Renzi, MSN, RN
Member Agencies:
- Office of Drinking Water - Delaware Division of Public Health
- Emergency Medical Services for Children – Office of EMS – Division of Public Health
- State of Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
- City of Milford Parks and Recreation
- Kent County Department of Planning Services – Division of Enforcement and Inspections
- Beebe Medical Center
- Sussex County EMS
- University of Delaware – College of Nursing
Key Objective:
To prevent water-related injuries and drowning deaths in the State of Delaware.
Key 2008 Project Name:
Revision of State of Delaware Regulations Governing Public Pools and integration of the Virginia Graeme Baker-Act into Delaware.
Brief Project Description:
In 2007 and early 2008, the Drowning Prevention Team met monthly with the Division of Public Health to assist in the revision of the State of Delaware Regulations Governing Public Pools.
In 2008 the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act was enacted to prevent public pool-related injuries and drowning deaths in children by:
- Requiring the use of proper devices such as anti-entrapment drain covers and fences/barriers, and by establishing a grant incentive program to encourage states to enact comprehensive pool and spa laws;
- Educating the public about drowning prevention;
- Establishing a federal swimming pool and spa drain cover standard; and
- Ensuring public pools are equipped with proper safety devices.
The Drowning Prevention Team monitored the legislation, which went into effect in December of 2008. Division of Public Health representatives are working to incorporate the law into the State of Delaware Regulations Governing Public Pools and to determine how the law will be implemented in Delaware.
Project Outcome:
In 2009, a revision of State of Delaware Regulations Governing Public Pools should be completed to update regulations last revised in 2003.
