Preventing water illnesses and injuries takes more than just one invested party. That’s the message the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is focusing on with the theme of this year’s National Recreational Water Illness and Injury Prevention Week – Healthy and Safe Swimming: We’re in it Together.
The week will focus on how all interested parties – from the swimmers at beaches and pools to the staff that maintain the facilities to the public health officials who inspect the areas – contribute to the prevention of drowning, chemical injuries and illness outbreaks.
One main topic is swimmer hygiene and highlights how they contribute to the health of everyone who swims, giving tips of showering with soap before swimming (plus rinsing before returning to the water), taking frequent bathroom breaks, washing hands and not swallowing pool water.
Aquatics professionals also can join CDC officials and Olympic swimmer Missy Franklin for a live Twitter chat on May 29 from 2-3 p.m. Eastern by following @CDCgov on Twitter and tagging tweets with the hashtag #CDCswim during the chat.
Each year, the week before Memorial Day is designated as RWII Prevention Week. This year marks the 10th year.
