Public pool safety tips to keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy
Playing it safe in the pool this summer? Jailene Aguilera shares public pool safety tips everyone needs to know
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - It's no surprise with the summer heat, one wants to keep it cool in the pool. But there are also dangers that most people avoid or don't know when trying to enjoy their time in the water.
Dangers such as water quality in pools, drowning, dehydration, fatigue inside the pools, young children unsupervised, being under the influence, and poor hygiene.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention, germs inside the water can cause skin, ear, and lung infections.
Here are some safety tips from the CDC for your next trip to your local pool trip:
- Shower before you get in the water (showering for just one minute removes most dirt or anything else in your body that uses up pool chemicals).
- Stay out of the water if you have diarrhea.
- Smell “chlorine”? That smell is chemicals that form when chlorine mixes with pee, poop and sweat, and dirt from swimmer's bodies (this can cause your eyes to get red make your nose run and make you cough).
- For younger swimmers swim diapers and swim pants can hold in solid poop for a few minutes but are not leakproof (swim diapers and swim pants do not stop germs or diarrhea from getting in the water, change diapers in changing areas not by the poolside).
- Wear bright neon swimwear to be seen visible when in the pool.
- Take a break at least every hour if you’re at the pool for a day.
- Reapply sunscreen.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Proper life jacket vests that are Coast Guard-approved for those who cannot swim.
- Don't swallow the water.
- If you see someone in distress or unresponsive in the water find your nearest lifeguard for help.
The California legislative law also requires public pools to meet federal safety standards to prevent entrapment hazards in public swimming pools and spas.
