Warmer weather brings thoughts of swimming pools, lakes, rivers, and oceans. One of the favorite leisure activities of Georgia residents is visiting some of Georgia's acclaimed Islands during holidays, spring break, and summer vacation. There are so many fun activities available for families on Georgia's waterways - swimming, boating, fishing, and skiing - but it pays to be cautious and plan ahead by checking out beach warnings and closings and knowing which lakes and rivers are unsafe.

Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs) are spread by swallowing, breathing, or having contact with contaminated water from public swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, and oceans.

Public water becomes contaminated when people are ill with diarrhea and have accidents in a pool or hot tub. Accidental sewage spillage, animal feces, and runoff from heavy rainfall near farms and ranches, can contaminate the public water with germs such as E.coli 0157:H7, Giardia, norovirus, Shingella, and others.

The symptoms of RWI include diarrhea and infections of the skin, lungs, ears, eyes, and any open wounds on the body.

Never allow a sick baby to play in a kiddie pool. He or she could contaminate the water, affecting many other infants and small children. Parents should use caution and common sense before allowing healthy babies to play in kiddie pools, which are always high risk swimming areas.

The beach advisory status for Georgia's beaches as of 04/08/2010 is: All beaches had acceptable levels of bacteria except Clam Beach and Saint Andrews picnic area on Jekyll Island. The bacteria levels are elevated and swimming is not advised.

To check the beach you plan to visit, go to the EPA's beachsite.

Always use good judgment before entering any body of water. If foreign materials can be seen floating on the surface, it is a safe bet that the water could be contaminated. Of course, people cannot always tell just by looking at the water. Bacteria levels could be elevated without any visible evidence. Georgia's beaches are checked weekly during the warm weather months. Ask about your local public swimming pools before entering the water.

Caution children about swallowing any water in which they are swimming. Keep all open sores and wounds tightly covered while swimming. If your child has a diarrhea accident in a body of water where others are swimming, do the right thing and alert other parents.

Anyone who develops respiratory illness after swimming should seek a physician's advice.

Enjoy Georgia's beautiful mountain and coastal waterways this season, but "be in the know before you go".