Many people go to public swimming pools in the summer to find relief from the heat; however, these places can be full of germs and can transmit diseases due to water contamination. In order not to contribute to the spread of these diseases, there are ways to maintain good hygienic conditions when you are in these circumstances.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Prepare for Going to the Pool
Step 1. Check the hygiene conditions of the pool
To ensure personal cleanliness in these environments, the first thing to do is to make sure the water is safe. Go to the public swimming pool, check the results of the analyzes performed on the quality of the water and check the transparency of the water itself; you can also examine the chlorine levels by bringing a kit to do the test yourself.
While you are in the pool you can also check all the other safety parameters
Step 2. Wash before entering
When you go to a public swimming pool, you need to make sure you and your family have washed themselves before entering the water to avoid the risk of spreading potential germs. Have all family members shower, wash their hair, and rinse thoroughly.
You should also see signs around the pool informing you of the need for a preventive shower; look for them posted in the area around the tub or in the changing rooms
Step 3. Rinse off when you get out of the pool
Take a shower in the locker room or as soon as you get home; you have to get rid of the chlorine on your skin, as well as all the other impurities, bacteria and dead skin cells that are normally present in even the cleanest public swimming pools.
Step 4. Put on your bathing suit
Do not replace it with training shorts or other sports clothing; keeping the swimsuit is the best way to show respect to other swimmers; furthermore, it would also be unsanitary to keep clothing other than the specially designated swimming suit in the water.
Step 5. Put on the bathing cap
Protects hair from dryness and damage that could result from chlorine and other chemicals in the water; in addition, it prevents sebum, dandruff and other skin residues present on the hair and scalp from falling into the pool.
Step 6. Stay hydrated before taking a bath
If you go swimming when you are thirsty, you may be induced (even unintentionally) to take a few sips of water that contains bacteria that could make you sick.
Step 7. Don't go to the pool if you have diarrhea
There are some situations in which it is not advisable to go swimming. If you or any family member suffer from this disorder, you should avoid diving in, as it could spread disease through germs or fecal matter residues left on the body.
Don't underestimate the risk of having a bout of diarrhea when in the water
Step 8. Don't go swimming if you have open wounds
This is another situation where you could spread pathogens, as infected secretions, such as pus or blood, could come out of the wound. Check all family members if they have any open injuries and if so do not let them enter the water.
Wrapping the wound offers no protection; the bandage gets wet with secretions and releases them into the water, so make sure none of your family members go into the pool if they have any injuries
Method 2 of 3: Maintain Hygienic Conditions in the Water
Step 1. Don't urinate in the pool
It is one of the behaviors most responsible for the diseases transmitted by contaminated water. Pee contains bacteria and can interfere with the pH of the water. Regardless of how young your family members are, be sure to explain well the importance of not urinating when they are swimming.
Use language appropriate to the age of the person you are addressing when explaining why you shouldn't pee in the pool; it may be quite difficult to explain to young children, but find a clear and comprehensive way to inform them of the problem
Step 2. Take breaks
To prevent children from urinating or defecating in the water, take them out of the pool once an hour; in this way, you have time to check if the baby's diaper is clean and allow the older ones to go to the bathroom.
Make sure you change your nappy away from the pool to avoid accidentally contaminating the water with fecal bacteria
Step 3. Do not ingest the pool water
It represents the main source of transmission of water-related diseases; to avoid getting sick, make sure you never swallow it when playing in the water. It is important to stay well hydrated before going to the pool, so as to avoid accidentally drinking some of the water present; this could expose you to bacteria and other germs that are in the tank.
- Also tell your children well not to drink it, otherwise they could be sick.
- You must also avoid opening your eyes underwater; prolonged contact can cause eye infections due to bacteria and other pathogens present.
Step 4. Get diapers suitable for use in water
If you have a small child, you don't have to make him wear normal diapers when he is in the pool, but you do have to take waterproof ones or put on special shorts that prevent excrement from escaping and spreading in the water.
- However, if the baby has diarrhea, these devices may not be enough because they are not completely waterproof.
- When you keep your baby in the water with their special onesie, be sure to change them every 30 to 60 minutes and always wash your hands when finished.
Step 5. Put on your swimming shoes
When taking the family to the pool, make sure everyone is wearing these shoes, which prevent them from becoming infected with viruses or bacteria that could irritate the skin.
Without these protections, you could get athlete's foot or warts
Method 3 of 3: Know if you have any Waterborne Disease
Step 1. Recognize the dangers of recreational water diseases (RWIs)
Even if you take all precautions to maintain good sanitation in the water, you or your family members could develop one of these diseases caused by contaminated water and which can be contracted when exposed to fungi, viruses, bacteria or other microbes; among the most common pathogens are E. coli, norovirus and cryptosporidium.
- These diseases can also be caused by chemicals spilled in the pool.
- However, lice, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and pinworms in a public swimming pool are unlikely.
Step 2. Check for disease symptoms
There are several types of RWIs that you may get in a public swimming pool and they usually affect the skin, ears, eyes, respiratory system, or gastrointestinal tract. Look for the main symptoms of ailments you may be suffering from, including:
- Diarrhea, the most common problem
- Otitis;
- Skin rashes;
- Irritations to eyes and lungs;
- Upper respiratory tract infections.
Step 3. Be cautious in all areas where water is present
Public swimming pools are not the only place where you can get these diseases; despite the use of chemicals, germs are always present. This is true for all public water sources, so you need to be very careful when in recreational areas; in addition to swimming pools, the other potentially risky environments are:
- Water games in parks;
- Water parks;
- Whirlpools;
- Water play structures;
- Rivers;
- Lakes;
- Fountains;
- Mari.
