A press release about a survey conducted about the pool cleanliness and people peeing in pools just came to my attention. In the survey of 1,000 United States adults, 17 % said that they peed in the pool. Can I hear a collective gross…!!! Those that think it is okay must be part of the 17%. It is a nasty habit that needs to be broken. Bathrooms are not that far from pools that you have to pee in them.
The press release by the Water Quality and Health Council also dealt also with the fact that 35% of the respondents did shower before going into the pool. This is another factor that leads to dirty pools.
The CDC does have recommendations to help keep you and other swimmers from getting sick. These are common sense and easy recommendations that require little effort.
Three Steps for All Swimmers
Keep germs from causing illnesses (RWIs) at the pool:
- Please don’t swim when you have diarrhea. You can spread germs in the water and make other people sick.
- Please don’t swallow the pool water. Avoid getting water in your mouth.
- Please practice good hygiene. Shower with soap before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Germs on your body end up in the water.
Three Steps for Parents of Young Kids
Keep germs out of the pool:
- Please take your kids on bathroom breaks or check diapers often. Waiting to hear “I have to go” may mean that it’s too late.
- Please change diapers in a bathroom or a diaper-changing area and not at poolside. Germs can spread in and around the pool.
- Please wash your child thoroughly (especially the rear end) with soap and water before swimming. Invisible amounts of fecal matter can end up in the pool.
These are some great tips to follow this summer and all throughout the year. Many children will be taking swimming lessons or just have fun in the pools and water parks and their health and safety is very important.
Sources: CDC,Water Quality and Health Council
Leave a Reply