Florida Senate - 2009                            (NP)    SR 1334
       
       
       
       By Senator Detert
       
       
       
       
       23-01141A-09                                          20091334__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing April 2009 as “Swimming Pool
    3         Safety Month.”
    4  
    5         WHEREAS, the State of Florida has more than 1 million
    6  swimming pools, more than 37,000 of which are public facilities
    7  regulated by the Department of Health, and
    8         WHEREAS, residential and commercial swimming pools and spas
    9  add to the enjoyment and quality of life and the health of the
   10  state's residents and visitors, and
   11         WHEREAS, swimming pools and spas are recreational
   12  facilities promoting the social gathering of families and
   13  friends in a large percentage of Florida residences, and
   14         WHEREAS, Florida hotels and condominiums have thousands of
   15  swimming pools, spas, and wading pools used by even more
   16  visitors and guests, and
   17         WHEREAS, the education of building code and health
   18  department officials, swimming pool designers and contractors,
   19  and pool owners is paramount to ensuring pool safety, and
   20         WHEREAS, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act
   21  was signed into law by the President of the United States,
   22  providing mandatory safety measures for public pool facilities,
   23  incentive programs concerning residential pools, and overall
   24  outreach and education on swimming pool safety, and
   25         WHEREAS, a national consensus safety standard, ANSI/APSP 7
   26  Suction Entrapment Avoidance, was developed in accordance with
   27  the American National Standards Institute, and adopted by the
   28  Florida Building Commission, making the State of Florida a
   29  leader in preventing serious injury from entrapment, and
   30         WHEREAS, chapter 515, Florida Statutes, provides for the
   31  Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act, which focuses on backyard
   32  pool safety and the prevention of drowning, and
   33         WHEREAS, the Florida Swimming Pool Association and the
   34  Department of Health’s Office of Injury Prevention continue to
   35  promote safety awareness to consumers, pool industry
   36  representatives, and government officials, and
   37         WHEREAS, swimming pool and spa injuries and accidents can
   38  be prevented through the responsible behavior and preventative
   39  actions of swimmers, pool owners, and those responsible for the
   40  facilities, and
   41         WHEREAS, mass media communications concerning swimming pool
   42  and spa safety during the peak period of use by consumers can
   43  create increased safety awareness and promote the installation
   44  and use of safety devices, NOW, THEREFORE,
   45  
   46  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   47         
   48         That the Florida Senate recognizes April 2009 as “Swimming
   49  Pool Safety Month” and encourages support from the media and
   50  other organizations in advocating practices of pool safety and
   51  providing information to the public.