WARMER TEMPERATURES BRING MORE SWIMMERS, PROTECTION TIPS 

Tallahassee, Fla.—With the arrival of summer and more people entering the water to beat the heat, the Florida Department of Health in Leon County encourages everyone to practice safe swim habits so they can make the most of their time with loved ones.

DOH-Leon reminds everyone that taking simple precautions can help maximize the health benefits and fun of swimming.

“Swimming is a popular way to have fun and beat the heat of Florida’s summer temperatures,” DOH-Leon Health Officer Claudia Blackburn said. “With more and more swimmers taking to the water, it’s even more important to ensure that the water is safe and that adults keep an eye on inexperienced swimmers at all times.”

Swimming Pools

Water quality is an essential part of enjoying a safe swim. DOH-Leon works to keep residents and visitors safe while swimming by conducting routine inspections of public pools to make sure they meet sanitation and safety standards. The department also ensures that public pools have life-saving equipment immediately on hand in case of emergency.

For those who own private pools, visit WaterSmartFL.com to learn more about the “layers of protection” that you can use to help protect young children from accessing your pool and potentially drowning. According to DOH, Florida leads the country in drowning deaths of children ages 1-4.

Follow these additional steps for a healthy and safe swim experience in the pool:

• Rinse off before you get into the water;
• Don't swallow the water you swim in;
• Stay out of the water if you have diarrhea (don’t swim until you are diarrhea-free for two weeks);
• Never leave young children unattended near the pool;
• Parents should take children on bathroom breaks every 60 minutes;
• Parents should also be aware that the use of swim diapers and swim pants doesn’t necessarily keep fecal bacteria out of the water (some germs can survive days even in properly chlorinated pools);
• Wash your hands after visiting the bathroom or changing diapers;
• Visit your local hardware or pool supply store and purchase pool test strips to check the chlorine and pH levels in a private pool before getting into the water;
• Never dive into shallow waters or waters where depth is unknown;
• Use a high SPF sunscreen to protect yourself and your family from harmful UV rays that cause sunburn and skin cancer and reapply after swimming; and
• Wear insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites and the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses.

Open Waters

With 8,436 miles of coastline, Florida ranks only second to Alaska in terms of access to open ocean and gulf waters. In addition, Florida boasts countless numbers of lakes, freshwater springs and rivers that residents of and visitors to the Sunshine State flock to when temperatures are on the rise.

Here are some safety tips for swimming in open waters, offered through US Masters Swimming:

• Never swim alone;
• Check water conditions before entering (boat traffic, signage, water quality, depth, etc.);
• Have a plan for emergencies;
• Understand currents and riptides;
• Watch for weather and get out of the water should thunderstorms approach; and
• Limit the amount of fresh water going up your nose to help prevent infection from Naegleria fowleri, the amoeba that causes the rare but often-fatal infection of the brain known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis.

Swimming is a fun form of exercise and a great way to get some relief from the heat. By following some simple steps, Floridians and visitors can ensure that the water they are swimming is safe and that their time with loved ones won’t be interrupted by injury or illness.