Pool Safety Facts for This Summer

If you're feeling that summer spirit, you're not alone. We're about a week away from the official kick off of summer. And with that of course comes pool season.

With that being said, the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health have sent out a press release about public pool safety that can be taken into consideration in any Hudson Valley county.

The press release discusses Recreational water illnesses (RWI) that can be caused "by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or improper pool chemical levels." DBCH Commissioner A. K. Vaidian, MD, MPH says "No one experiencing diarrhea should ever enter a swimming a pool. Such activity can easily cause contamination of the swimming water, exposing fellow swimmers to the very real risk of falling ill."

Some guidelines to follow this summer include:

• Do not swim in water that is discolored or contains growths; this may indicate that a harmful algal bloom is present, or other infectious or noxious substances.
• Towel dry immediately after leaving the water to reduce the possibility of developing swimmer’s itch, a parasite that burrows into skin.
• Don’t swim, and don’t let children swim, when sick with diarrhea.
• Don’t swallow swimming water.
• Shower before getting in the water.

If you suspect any RWI's you are urged to call Dutchess County Communicable Disease Control at 845-486-3404.

For more details visit the CDC website.