Our goal is to raise awareness about healthy swimming behaviors, including ways to prevent recreational water illnesses (RWIs) and injuries. RWIs are illnesses spread by swallowing, breathing in vapors of, or having contact with contaminated water in swimming pools, water parks, spas, interactive fountains, lakes, rivers, or oceans. Injuries at aquatics facilities can occur in or out of the water.
“This is the time of year when temperatures rise and people head for their backyard or public pool to cool off," said John Rogers, chief of Sacramento County’s Environmental Management Health Division. "We encourage everyone to use common sense and follow public health guidelines to protect yourself and your loved ones from water-associated illnesses and injuries."
This article will focus on injuries associated with pool chemicals. Pool chemicals make the water safer by protecting us from germs; however, these same chemicals can also cause injuries if they are not properly handled. This type of preventable injury leads to thousands of emergency room visits each year. Public pool operators and residential pool owners can protect themselves and swimmers by taking these key steps:
• ALWAYS secure pool chemicals: Keep children and animals away.
• ALWAYS read product name and manufacturer’s directions before each use.
• ALWAYS use appropriate protective gear, such as safety glasses and gloves, when handling pool chemicals.
• NEVER mix chlorine products with each other, acid, or other substances.
Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs)
The best way to prevent RWIs is to keep germs out of the pool in the first place. Everyone can help create healthy swimming experiences this summer by following these six healthy swimming steps:
• PLEASE don’t swallow pool water.
• PLEASE practice good hygiene. Shower with soap before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers.
• PLEASE take your kids on bathroom breaks or check diapers often.
• PLEASE change diapers in a bathroom or a diaper-changing area and not at poolside.
• PLEASE don’t swim when you have diarrhea
• PLEASE wash your children thoroughly (especially the rear end) with soap and water before they go swimming.
For additional information on healthy swimming, go to www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming.
View an informative and entertaining video: http://www.cdc.gov/CDCTV/SwimOfThings/