Maize Morse Tri Area Civic Assc.

Water Safety Tips can help prevent Waterborne Illness

COLUMBUS PUBLIC HEALTH - Press Release   FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 30

Contact:      Jose Rodriguez    (614) 645-6928  jrrodriguez@columbus.gov

Water Safety Tips can help prevent Waterborne Illness

Signs also Help Swimmers make Healthy and Safe Choices about where to Swim   Thousands of people will grab their towels and head to one of the area's swimming pools, water parks, fountains or spas this coming weekend.  But they'll need more than sunscreen to enjoy a healthy and safe swim.  With a few safety precautions, swimmers can help keep a Recreational Water Illness (RWI) from ruining their day - and their health.    RWIs are caused by water contaminated with germs such as Shigella, E. coli, Norvirus and Crypto.  The bugs, which cause upset stomach and diarrhea, can sicken anyone, but they pose the greatest risk young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with unhealthy immune systems.    To prevent the spread of a waterborne illness, Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long suggests:

• Don't swim when you have diarrhea.
• Don't swallow pool water and keep the water out of your mouth.
• Shower before swimming.
• Wash your hands with soap and water after using the bathroom or changing a diaper.
• Use only swim diapers designed for water use.
• Change diapers often in a bathroom and not by the pool.
• Give kids frequent bathroom breaks.

  Additionally, Dr. Long also encourages swimmers in Columbus and Worthington to look for a posted pool inspection sign.  "Through the Columbus SIGNS program, we've also given people the information they need to make healthy and safe choices about where to swim and play this summer," adds Dr. Long.  Pool inspection signs are color coded:  green illustrates Columbus Public Health standards were met at inspection; yellow indicates pools in the enforcement process; red identifies pools closed to protect the public from health risks; and, white shows pools placed on increased monitoring by the Columbus Board of Health.  For more information including pool inspection reports visit our web site at www.publichealth.columbus.gov or our Facebook page.     -30-     Jose R. Rodriguez Director of Communications Columbus Public Health 240 Parsons Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43215 614-645-6928 Cell - 614-604-5025