Steps to Protect Yourself & Others:

• Don’t swim when you have diarrhea. Just one diarrheal incident can release enough germs into the water that swallowing a mouthful can cause diarrhea lasting 2-3 weeks.
• Don’t swallow pool water, and don’t drink water directly from streams, lakes, or other bodies of water.
• Practice good hygiene. Shower with soap before swimming and wash your hands with soap after using the toilet or changing diapers. Germs on your body end up in the water.
• Avoid exposing open wounds or cuts to salt or brackish water. If exposed, wash the affected area right away with soap and clean water.
• If you become ill, visit your primary healthcare provider.

Prevent drowning and swimming-related injuries by following these simple steps:

• Learn to swim. Learn life-saving skills, including swimming basics and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Be prepared. Have rescue equipment by the pool, post 9-1-1 emergency information, and think through an emergency action plan.
• Supervise when in or near the water. Never leave a child unsupervised near a pool/spa, standing body of water, pond, bathtub, toilet, or water-filled bucket. Look in pools first if a child is missing.
• Clear the pool and deck of toys. Remove toys from the pool and surrounding area immediately after use so children aren’t tempted to enter the pool area unsupervised.
• Use the buddy system when swimming or boating.
• Communicate pool safety tips with the babysitter and ensure they are trained in CPR.
• Use Coast Guard-approved life jackets. Never rely only on flotation devices (water wings, noodles) or swimming lessons to protect a child.
• Install four-sided fencing. An unclimbable, five-foot fence should separate the pool/spa from residences. Fence openings should be no more than four inches wide so children cannot squeeze through spaces. Fence gates should be self-closing and self-latching. Areas beside the outside of the fence should be free of objects that can help children climb the fence, such as tables, chairs, or tree branches.
• Don’t swim in the dark.
• Avoid alcohol before and during swimming.

Click here for more VDH information on safe swimming.