July 9, 2026 — A recent incident report highlights a significant safety concern with a Shophubio branded pool drain cover sold on Amazon.com. The product, identified as PBLSOQ05KO815P9U1VQS11IK97, has been found not to comply with critical federal safety standards designed to prevent swimmer entrapment and drowning in pools and spas.
Product Details
Incident Overview
On May 20, 2026, a consumer purchased a Shophubio pool drain cover through Amazon.com. Upon examination, the drain cover was determined to be non-compliant with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA), specifically 16 C.F.R. part 1450, which incorporates by reference the entrapment protection standard of ANSI/APSP/ICC-16.
The core issue identified is that the drain cover lacks proper certification and does not meet the labeling requirements outlined in Section 8 of ANSI/APSP/ICC-16. This non-compliance is critical because these standards are put in place to ensure drain covers are designed and tested to prevent dangerous suction entrapment, a leading cause of injuries and fatalities in pools and spas. The report indicates that this product, therefore, poses an inherent entrapment and drowning hazard to individuals using pools or spas where it might be installed.
Safety Concerns
The non-compliance of a pool drain cover with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA) and the ANSI/APSP/ICC-16 standard presents severe and immediate safety concerns:
- Immediate Dangers:
- Suction Entrapment: Without proper design and certification, the drain cover may allow for dangerous suction forces to develop, leading to various forms of entrapment. This includes limb entrapment (where a person’s arm or leg is held against the drain), body entrapment (where a torso is held against the drain), hair entrapment (where hair is pulled into the drain), and evisceration (a rare but catastrophic injury where internal organs are pulled out).
- Drowning Hazard: Entrapment, particularly of a child or an individual unable to free themselves, can quickly lead to drowning. The inability to escape the strong suction of a pool or spa drain is extremely dangerous.
- Long-term risks: The continued presence and use of a non-compliant drain cover poses an ongoing, severe entrapment and drowning hazard to all swimmers and bathers.
- Who Might Be Affected: Swimmers and bathers of all ages are at risk, particularly young children who may be less able to understand or escape such hazards. Individuals with long hair or loose clothing are also at heightened risk for hair or clothing entrapment.
- Property Damage Potential: While the primary risk is personal injury, improper drain covers can also sometimes contribute to plumbing issues if they fail structurally, though this is secondary to the life-threatening entrapment risk.
What Consumers Should Do
Consumers who have purchased a Shophubio pool drain cover, or any uncertified pool drain cover, should take immediate action to ensure safety:
- Immediate Steps: If you own a Shophubio pool drain cover (Model: PBLSOQ05KO815P9U1VQS11IK97) or any pool drain cover that you suspect is not VGBA compliant, immediately remove it from your pool or spa and cease use. Do not attempt to use or modify the drain cover.
- How to Check for Affected Product: Verify the brand and model number of your pool drain cover. Look for clear indications of VGBA compliance and certification on the product itself and its packaging, as required by Section 8 of ANSI/APSP/ICC-16. Compliant covers should be clearly marked with the appropriate standards they meet. If no such markings or certifications are visible, or if you have any doubt, assume it is non-compliant.
- Prevention Measures: Always purchase pool and spa drain covers from reputable manufacturers and retailers. Ensure that any replacement drain cover explicitly states its compliance with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA) and ANSI/APSP/ICC-16. When in doubt, consult a certified pool professional.
- Reporting Procedures: Report incidents or concerns about non-compliant products to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.SaferProducts.gov. You should also report the issue to Amazon.com and the manufacturer, Whimsy Mall.
Manufacturer’s Response
No manufacturer response has been provided in the incident report.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process. Farzan Law is a California based Personal Injury law firm focusing on protecting the rights of those wrongfully injured.
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Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.