Entrapment Death in Kentucky Spurs Media Outreach
After two pool drain entrapment incidents occurred in Kentucky last week – one of which resulted in the death of a 14-year-old girl – The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, led by members of the APSP Technical Committee, ramped up its media outreach to make states aware of the inadequacy of pool codes, especially the unnecessary mandate of drains in public and residential pools. APSP is urging that all states adopt the ANSI/APSP-7 2006, American National Standard for Entrapment Avoidance in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs and Catch Basins. Click HERE to read the full release.
Below is a link to the KY drowning:
http://www.kentucky.com/179/story/472244.html
Reno-Gazette Journal:
“At the Pool: Fewer Chemicals; More Pizazz”
The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals recently contributed to an Associated Press article on current pool trends, which was picked up by the Reno-Gazette Journal. Cited in the article were statistics provided by the APSP, and information from an interview conducted with APSP Builders Council Vice Chairman Joe Vassallo, CBP. The article has the potential to be included in numerous publications across the country, and is a great way to draw attention and position APSP as the voice of the industry. To view the entire article, please click here.
Georgia Drought Update for New Pool Construction
The drought conditions in Georgia are still severe, in spite of rising water levels in various lakes and reservoirs. Georgians have demonstrated fine water conservation practices by exceeding the Governor’s request for a 10% reduction in water use. Recently, Kevin Chambers, spokesperson for the Environmental Protection Division, issued a statement saying that there is no consideration to rescind or amend the standing order on the state’s drought situation. All pool contractors should download the order. For more information, contact Teresa Christmas.
Crypto Outbreaks Reported in Texas and Arizona
Several Cryptosporidium (Crypto) outbreaks have been reported in recent weeks. An outbreak of Cryptosporidiosis in Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX was reported July 22 to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Phoenix closed all 29 of its public pools on July 14 due to a Crypto outbreak.
Click on the articles below for more information about the outbreak in Phoenix.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/07/16/20080716pool0716.html
http://www.azfamily.com/news/homepagetopstory/stories/phoenix_local_news_071408_pools-close.572bff21.html
Click here for U.S. CDC “hyperchlorination” procedure. MORE.
The Hot Tub Industry Growth Initiative Needs You!
The U.S. hot tub industry is down 50% from its peak in 2004. Last fall the APSP Hot Tub Council rallied many industry leaders to fund consumer research to determine the challenges and opportunities that face the hot tub category. Click HERE to view a presentation that describes the three legs of the growth initiative designed to: Increase consumer awareness; Emphasize the utility / relevance of hot tubs in the minds of consumers; and Raise industry professionalism. To keep hot tubs from suffering the same fate as waterbeds of the 1980s, we need manufacturers and suppliers to pledge their non-binding commitment to this initiative NOW. If your company is not yet listed as a supporter, and you want it to be, contact Lauren Stack, lstack@apsp.org today.
APSP Announces New National Staff Responsibilities
At the APSP Board of Directors meeting in New Orleans on July 24, APSP President and CEO Bill Weber announced new responsibilities at the APSP national staff level. Click HERE to review the staff changes.
Serve Your Industry—Join a Council!
APSP Councils have the responsibility of representing the interests of the members of their business segment and offering marketing, technical, and management support to the national staff. Councils have representation on the APSP Board of Directors and make recommendations on how best to advance the business, image, and welfare of APSP members collectively. Council meetings are normally held at least annually and up to several times a year. MORE
Seeking Nominations for the Hot Tub EAGLE and INSPIRE Awards
The Hot Tub Council Chair, Todd Whitney of Aristech Acrylics, LLC, is seeking your nominations for the upcoming Eagle and INSPIRE hot tub industry awards. The deadline for submissions is August 29. These awards, honoring the best in the hot tub industry, will be presented at the Board of Directors luncheon during EXPO week in November 2008. MORE
Attendee Online Registration Opens for
2008 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo
Online registration is now open for the 2008 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo, taking place November 18-20, in the Bayside Halls at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada USA. Attendees who register before October 7, 2008, will receive early-bird pricing rates. Online registration is available at www.PoolSpaPatio.com, where information is accessible 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Registering in advance will save attendees not only money, but also time by not having to wait in long on-site registration lines. MORE.
Advanced Service Program Offers High-Level Education on November 17
Mark your calendar to attend this full-day educational program featuring high-level presentations for owners, supervisors, and managers of pool and spa service companies. The Advanced Service Program, presented by the APSP Service Council on November 17 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, includes classes on sanitation and oxidation, anti-entrapment, water problems, compliance with energy-efficiency standards, disinfection for commercial pools, and what service companies need to know about the federal Pool and Spa Safety Act. Click Here for more details. For information about attending the program, visit www.poolspapatio.com. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Tracy Beaulieu (tbeaulieu@hanleywood.com or 972.536.6366).
You can contribute to IC. Click here to find out how, or send an email to ic@APSP.org. You may also fax 703.549.0493.