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Thursday, July 29, 2010

Public Swimming Pools... Yes or No


Summer is hot (obviously!). What a better way to cool off than to take a dip in a pool? Are public swimming pools safe? How dirty can a public pool be?

These are the questions that needs to be addressed before you let yourselves and your kids dip into a public pool. Public swimming pools have earned a bad rep as unsanitary petri dishes of infectious diseases – but is this reputation true?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year, about 15 to 20 outbreaks of diseases, including stomach bugs and diarrhea, are blamed on dirty public pools. A quarter of these outbreaks are caused by bacteria, parasites and viruses that could have easily been prevented had the pools been properly chlorinated and monitored.

Before you swim make sure to take note of the following:
  • a perfectly healthy pool would be odorless
  • the pool tiles should be smooth and not slimy
  • pool pumps should be working
  • pool's bottom should be clearly visible
For safety of all the pool users:
  • Never pee in the pool
  • Shower before going to the pool
  • Don't swallow the water in the pool

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