In a report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the agency warned Americans to not take for granted the the pool or spa you want to spend some time in to beat the summer heat is up to standard regarding health and safety issues.
In fact, the report, published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, said almost 80 percent of nearly 50,000 pools, hot tubs, and water playgrounds inspected in 2013 had at least one safety or health violation.
The report also states one of every eight facilities tested in the five states with the most of these types of recreational areas was closed immediately upon the finding of the violations, considered as serious safety or health issues. These states include Arizona, California, Florida, New York and Texas.
The most common type of shut-down facility was kiddie pools or wading pools.
“Young children who are still learning their toileting skills are more likely to contaminate the water,” said Michael Beach, the associate director for healthy water at the CDC. “They’re more likely to swallow the water. Both of which can lead to outbreaks of diarrheal illness.”
The top reasons for water-use facility closings were improper pH levels, lack of proper safety equipment available, and inadequate disinfectant levels in the water.
The report continues to say the most common contamination of pools and hot tubs are due to people in the water suffering or recovering from a bout with diarrhea. The agency recommends if you have this condition to stay out of public pools. They also suggest keeping a check on pool diapers and taking the younger children out of the water every hour for a bathroom break. Soiled diapers should be changed in a changing area away from the pool area, and disposed of properly.
The CDC further recommends if you can’t see the bottom of the pool at the deep end, you should not enter the water, and to always make sure the drain cover is in place and secure before allowing smaller children to swim. Also make a quick check to see if all the proper safety equipment is in place and in good condition.