Fast Facts: Tips for Safe Swimming

ATLANTA – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (search) offers these tips to avoid getting or spreading a swimming-related illness:

— Don't swallow the pool water. It is communal bath water after all.

— Don't swim if you have diarrhea.

— Wash your hands before returning to the pool after using the restroom.

— Don't change children's diapers beside the pool.

— Put protective rubber garments over the diapers of babies and toddlers.

— Beware a strong chemical odor coming from the pool. That smell typically means pool chemicals such as chlorine are being neutralized from urine or other contaminants.