They are typically opaque or translucent, not transparent, thus making it difficult, if not impossible to clearly see what is beneath them. Because they are normally not securely attached to the pool, floating covers can collapse under the weight of a child and possibly result in suffocation. Tests have shown that floating pool covers will return to their original position within 10 to 20 seconds after something has fallen underneath them, thereby concealing a potential drowning victim. There have been documented cases of children being trapped and hidden from view under such covers who were not found until brain damage or death had occurred. In addition, pool bathers have been known to fold back only part of the floating cover and swim in a half-covered pool.
Bathers can become disoriented, swim under the cover, and become trapped underneath.
In one case, both a mother and her two children drowned when they became trapped underneath a floating pool cover while swimming. The pool must be segregated from all dwelling units by an approved fence or enclosure. Floating pool covers will not be accepted on courtyard pools or in other situations where there is no fence or enclosure between the dwelling units and the pool. The pool area must be locked to prevent any usage of the pool when the cover is in place on the pool. The pool may not be reopened for use until the pool cover has been removed from the pool and properly stored by the responsible party.