Ahhh, finally, summer is here! It's time to break out your favorite swimsuit and hit the pool to escape the hot hot heat of summer afternoons.
If you don't have a pool of your own, the public pool is a great option for keeping cool – as long as you never do any of these 10 things.
You may find articles around the web that tell you to never swim in a public pool, but if you make sure to follow the proper measures, you should be just fine. Besides, how else are you going to stay cool, especially if you are land-locked?
It is true that you are right to worry about the quality of the water, but there are simple tests that you can get at any pool care store or online that test the levels of the water. Buy a pack of these test strips to check out the water at your public pool to make sure that the water is treated and balanced at the right levels.
Otherwise, if you avoid these 10 things at the public pool, you will have a wonderful summer!
Please SHARE with your family and friends on Facebook!
Thumbnail photo: Flickr / N i c o l a, Wikimedia Commons / Cortneykelleher
1. Make Huge Splashes When You Dive In
It's totally fine to do this in your private pool. But, if you're having splashing contests in a crowded public pool, you could be ruining the experience for everyone else. Try to save these "who can make the biggest splash" competitions for private pools or those rare days at the public pool that are almost completely empty.
2. Swim Laps With Long Nails
According to H2Ouston Swims, swimming with long fingernails or toe nails can be a danger to other swimmers. We're not all olympic swimmers, and sometimes we veer off to one side or another, bumping into other folks. Long nails can seriously injure a fellow swimmer.
3. Forget To Read The Rules
Whether it's a "NO DIVING" sign stenciled on the ledge of the pool, or a big list of rules posted on a sign at the entrance of the pool deck, make sure you read through them. They are there for a reason, and that reason is the safety of you and everyone else at the pool. Make sure you read everything and follow the rules! This means being responsible for all children that you are watching that day knowing the rules, too.
4. Ogle Others
No one, no matter what they look like or what kind of bathing suit they are wearing, should feel like they are being objectified, made fun of, or judged. Everyone is beautiful and should feel comfortable having a grand old time at the swimming pool, so don't be rude by staring!
5. Swallow The Water
Please, for the love of all things good, don't swallow the pool water. The CDC says that diarrhea causing parasite, Crypto, is on the rise in public swimming pools. It is transmitted by swallowing something that has come into contact with the feces of a sick person. Guess what, folks, that could very well be your public pool water. You're safe if you do not ingest any of the water.
6. Jump In Without Showering
The CDC also urges everyone to take a shower to wash off any dirt, sweat, or other yucky stuff with at least a one minute rinse before hopping into the pool. Swimming in the pool is not a substitute for a shower!
7. Forget To Notice Whether A Lifeguard Is On Duty
If there is no lifeguard on duty and the pool is sparsely populated, it would be best to wait to take a plunge. If your children are swimming without a lifeguard on duty, make sure that you are being extra vigilant about where they are and how they are doing in the water. Keep tabs on the lifeguard situation, and if they are looking like they are distracted, up your own protective measures.
8. Leave Children Unattended
This seems like a no-brainer, but it is most certainly well-worth a reminder! If you have to step away to the restroom for a moment, make sure that either an older sibling or another adult is there to keep an eye on your children or grandchildren. If there is not anyone there to keep a watchful eye, you could give the lifeguard a specific heads up that you are stepping away, and point out your children.
9. Swim If You Have Diarrhea Or An Open Wound
To keep the water safe to swim in for everyone else, refrain from swimming in the pool if you have diarrhea or an open wound. The CDC lists it as good habits for safe swimming!
10. Forget Sunscreen
No, tanning oil is not the same thing as sunscreen! You must protect your skin from the sun with 30 SPF regularly reapplied throughout your time sweating poolside and jumping into the water. As much as a nice sun-kissed glow looks with summer dresses, you don't want to have any regrets with scary skin problems in the future, including skin cancer and ugly wrinkles. Keep yourself looking young and feeling healthy for years to come by protecting yourself from the sun!
Do you do any of these things at the public pool? Please SHARE with family and friends on Facebook!
