Healthy and Safe Swimming Week is an initiative by the CDC in which the public is advised to take some precautions to prevent the potential spread of illnesses linked to swimming pools and other places with water.
The initiative began yesterday and will go through to May 30. The Alabama Department of Public Health is participating in the effort.
“Just 2.5 hours of water-based or other forms of physical exercise per week has health benefits for everyone,” said a press release from ADPH. “Each of us plays a role in preventing illnesses and injuries linked to the water we share and swim in this summer and year-round.”
APDH cited a study by the CDC that more than 200 outbreaks were connected to pools, hot tubs and water playgrounds between 2015 and 2019.
One of these illnesses was Cryptosporidium, which can make swimmers sick by only a mouthful of water that’s been contaminated. ADPH also cited the number of drownings that occur among children of ages 1 to 14.
ADPH advises parents to do the following while their children are in pools:
- Making sure to watch children and pets while they are in the pool.
- Fencing off the pool when not in use.
- Ensuring children wear life jackets in and around natural bodies of water, such as lakes or the ocean, even if they know how to swim.
For more information, see the CDC’s page on water safety.
