US moves on entrapment

In a move that Safe Kids USA believes will save the lives of thousands of children, President Bush today signed The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act of 2007. The legislation provides incentives for states to adopt comprehensive pool safety laws that will protect children from life-threatening injuries and horrible deaths from dangerous pool and spa drains.

 

The law is named after the granddaughter of former Secretary of State James Baker, Virginia “Graeme” Baker, whose mother, Nancy Baker, joined with the former politician and Safe Kids USA in a three-year advocacy campaign for the legislation. In 2002 at the age of 7, Graeme Baker died in a spa after the powerful suction of a drain trapped her under water.

 

For more information on the Act from the APSP click here.

 

Meanwhile in Western Australia, an eight-year-old girl has been awarded a bravery citation for saving her sister from an entanglement incident. Royal Life Saving Society WA awarded Rockingham the citation to Chloe Devenny after she saved her little sister Molly.

 

Molly’s hair had became entangled in a spa suction and she trapped underwater and drowning. Chloe managed to release Molly’s hair from the drain, pulled her from the water and lifted her onto the verandah, where she started trying to resuscitate her sister. Amazingly, her only knowledge of resuscitation came from watching an animated TV show. Her father then took over the resuscitation – bringing Molly back to consciousness.

 

Chloe Devenny received the citation for demonstrating courage and quick thinking. Through her immediate actions, her sister has been able to make a full recovery.