GREENWOOD, Ind. (June 13, 2017) — Now that Memorial Day weekend has passed and most schools are on summer break, trips to the pool and water parks are just around the corner for many families, and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention is reporting an alarming trend upward in pool and water park contamination outbreaks across the nation. According to statistics recently released by the CDC, the number of outbreaks in the U.S. related to pool contamination has doubled over the last two years.
Indiana American Water, the state’s largest investor-owned water utility, encourages parents and children to do their part to minimize the risk of illness and injury this summer.
“This summer is off to a beautiful start, and we know many of our customers and residents will be spending more time in the water now that school is out and temperatures are on the rise,” said Indiana American Water President Deborah Dewey. “While most people don’t realize it, swimmers are the primary source of contamination. Taking preventive action at both public facilities and at home can help reduce these threats to our health.”
For those who will be swimming this summer, Indiana American Water encourages everyone to shower before they get into the water, use approved swimming diapers for infants and take children on regular bathroom breaks, avoid swallowing pool water, and always wash your hands before eating food after swimming..
Dewey also added, “We also encourage everyone to learn more about how they can prevent drownings, the leading cause of accidental death for children under the age of four.”
Key drowning prevention tips include:
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Isolating backyard pools with adequate fencing, locks and automatic latches
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Making sure everyone knows the basics of swimming and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
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Using life jackets for everyone in natural bodies of water and for weaker swimmers in pools
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Never leaving young children alone and unsupervised while swimming
Additional information on steps for healthy swimming and preventing drowning accidents is available online from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.