To ensure that consumers of all ages from Harlem and beyond have a safe and healthy summer of swimming.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released tips for those looking to spend time at the pool, beach, or local water park.
“… be aware of ways to prevent illness, sunburn, and drowning …”
“Americans swim hundreds of millions of times in pools, oceans, lakes, rivers, and hot tubs/spas each year, and most people have a safe and healthy time enjoying the water,” the CDC said. “However, it is important to be aware of ways to prevent illness, sunburn, and drowning that can occur.”
Avoiding injury
While swimming is a fun activity for kids, and it’s a great way for anyone to engage in physical activity, it’s important that parents always keep an eye on young swimmers and do their best to prevent injury.
Drowning tops the list of preventable injuries, according to the CDC. The agency offers several ways for parents to help prevent any incidents while swimming this summer:
- Learn CPR
- Always keep your eyes on swimmers
- Mandate flotation devices/life jackets
- Make sure the pool is fenced off
“When most of us are enjoying time at the or pool or beach, injuries aren’t the first thing on our minds,” the agency explains. “Yet, drownings are a leading cause of injury for young children ages 1 to 14, and three children die every day as a result of drowning. Thankfully, parents can play a key role in protecting the children they love from drowning.”
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The CDC also cites skin cancer as a cause for concern, so properly using sunscreen is a must this summer. Consumers can access the agency’s tips on staying safe in the sun here.
Healthy conditions only
Though pool chemicals are designed to keep the water clean, they aren’t always 100 percent effective. Because of that, consumers should think twice before going in the pool if they’ve recently had diarrhea.
Crypto, a germ known to cause diarrhea, can stay alive in chlorine for up to one week and infect other swimmers, so it’s more important than ever for parents to hold off on the pool if their child has recently had an upset stomach.
The CDC also advises consumers to never ingest any pool water or urinate in the pool, as both can increase the risk for infection for other swimmers. Any diaper-changing or bathroom needs should be done in designated areas to prevent the spread of germs.
“Making sure the pool you visit has been properly inspected …”
Making sure the pool you visit has been properly inspected can also help ensure that swimming conditions are both safe and healthy for all swimmers. To see all of the CDC’s tips on pool safety, click here. For the agency’s pre-swimming checklist, click here.
Having a safe summer
Earlier this summer, the CDC released tips for consumers to have a safe and enjoyable few months that go beyond just swimming.
A list of those tips can be found here, and consumers can expect to gain some insights on staying safe while traveling abroad, protecting against insects, and staying safe in the heat, and more wrote Consumer Affairs.
Photo credit: HWM.
