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Summer, water spell health hazards
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Photo Copyright Lani Paulson
As the weather gets warmer, it's time to prepare ourselves for one of summer's most popular recreational activities: swimming.
For many of us, swimming is a fun way to spend time with friends and family. While enjoying ourselves, we also need to understand the important role of recreational water safety in ensuring a safe and enjoyable time for all.
Slipping, falling, drowning and sunburns are some of the more commonly thought of water safety issues. Although these are very important, there are many other safety issues associated with recreational water activities.
Did you know that swallowing pool water could be hazardous to your health? Although pools are generally maintained with disinfectant, it only takes one person to contaminate a pool.
The average person has approximately 0.14 grams of feces on the skin. Someone can easily bring feces into the pool by skipping a shower before swimming. It only takes one person with diarrhea to contaminate a large pool or water park - a very good reason to never swallow swimming-pool water.
Recreational water illness can be acquired by swallowing or swimming in contaminated water. Depending on the type of microorganism in the water, you could become very ill. The most common symptom of recreational water illness is diarrhea; however, skin, ear, respiratory, eye and wound infections can also occur because of contact with contaminated water.
When using spas, make sure that they are free from a layer of foam on top of the water. This layer of foam traps dirt and microorganisms that can cause a recreational water illness.
Some other important safety tips to keep in mind when using spas are to:
- Consult with your physician before using a spa if you take prescription medications, are pregnant or have heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or other serious medical conditions.
- Limit the amount of time spent in the spa to only 15 minutes. Children under the age of 5 years should not be allowed in the spa.
- If you use a spa at home, make sure the temperature is 104 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
In addition to spa water being clear, so should swimming-pool water.
Cloudy water is another indication that the water may not be safe to swim in. Remember, if you cannot see the main drain at the bottom of the pool, do not swim in the pool.
Drowning prevention is a very important subject and should not be taken lightly. The following strategies could be the difference between life and death:
- Make sure an adult is constantly watching children swimming or playing in or around the water. Do not read, play cards, talk on the phone, or engage in any other distracting activity while supervising children.
- Never swim alone or in unsupervised places. Select swimming sites that have a lifeguard whenever possible.
- Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, boating or water skiing. Avoid drinking alcohol when supervising children swimming.
- Learn to swim. Enroll yourself and your children in swimming classes.
- Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Because of the time it may take paramedics to arrive, your CPR skills can make a difference in someone's life.
- Do not use air-filled or foam toys in place of lifejackets. These are toys and are not designed to keep swimmers safe.
- Toys should be removed from the pool immediately after use. Floats, balls or other toys may tempt children to enter the pool area and lean over the pool and potentially fall in.
- Barriers, such as fences, can be used to restrict children's access to pools and spas. If a fence is used as a barrier to the swimming pool, make sure it has a latch that cannot be opened by a child.
Remember these tips to have a safe, healthy and enjoyable summer.
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