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Summer Swimming Safety
Quick Tips
Be Proactive
- Learn about recreational water illness
and make sure users and pool operators are aware.
- Ask that pool management spread the
word to pool staff and users about recreational water illness.
- Let your pool operator know that the
health and well-being of all swimmers are a priority.
Practice Healthy Swimming Behaviors
- Refrain from swimming when you have
diarrhea.
- Avoid swallowing pool water and getting
it in your mouth.
- Shower before swimming and wash your
hands after using the bathroom or changing diapers.
- Take children on bathroom breaks often.
- Change diapers in a bathroom and not
at the poolside.
Ask Pool Staff Questions
- Did the staff receive specialized training
to prepare for operating the pool?
- How often are the chlorine and pH levels
checked?
- Are these levels checked during times
when the pool is most heavily used?
- What was the health inspector's grade
for the pool at its last inspection?
Practice Additional Pool Safety
- Keep an eye on children at all times;
never leave children alone near a pool. Whenever infants or toddlers
are around water an adult should be within arms length to provide
"touch supervision."
- Protect against sunburn by using sunscreen
with at least SPF 15 and both UVA and UVB protection. Don't forget
to re-apply after swimming.
- Don't use air-filled swimming aids
such as "floaties" with children in place of life jackets
or life preservers.
- Install a fence at least 4 feet high
around the entire pool and make sure the pool gates self-close
and self-latch at a height children can't reach.
- Keep rescue equipment, such as a life
preserver and shepherd's hook and portable telephone, near the
pool.
-Source: CDC and AAP |
