FORT WALTON BEACH — The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County is observing Healthy and Safe Swimming Week for the last week of May.
Water-based physical activity has health benefits for everyone, but it does come with some risks.
Everyone plays a role in preventing illnesses and injuries linked to the water we use and enjoy. Every day in the United States, two children younger than 14 years of age die from drowning.
“Drowning is a leading cause of injury (or) death for children 1 to 4 years of age,” stated Dr. Karen A. Chapman, DOH director. “It’s important that you and your family take precautions before getting into the water to ensure a healthy and safe day at the beach or pool.”
The DOH recommends swimmers and parents of young swimmers do the following before getting into the water:
●Make sure everyone knows how to swim.
●Use life jackets appropriately.
●Check water visibility.
●Check to see if a lifeguard is on duty.
●Provide continuous and attentive supervision to swimmers.
●Protect against sunburn by using a sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15 or higher.
●Know CPR and bring a first aid kit.
To protect swimmers’ health and safety, DOH-Okaloosa uses state and local standards to inspect public pools, hot tubs, spas, water playgrounds, and other places with treated water.
Though chlorine in public pools can kill most germs within minutes, some germs can survive for days. Health concerns can occur when dirt, sweat, urine, fecal matter, or blood from swimmers’ bodies mix with pool water.
It’s important that swimmers
●Stay out of the water if they have diarrhea
●Shower before getting in the water
●Don’t pee or poop in the water
●Don’t swallow the water
Parents should take kids on bathroom breaks, check diapers and change them in a bathroom or diaper changing area—not poolside—to keep germs away from the pool.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa health department offers swimming safety tips