With Memorial Day right around the corner, several area pools will be opening their doors in the coming weeks.
Pools are a community gathering place, so officials recommend you take some steps to keep them clean and yourself safe while you’re there.
Here’s what you can do to ensure a safe experience at the pool this summer:
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Keep it clean
While most public pools are chlorinated or filtered, safety officials still recommend you take a shower before you enter the pool to keep bacteria out. They also stress following general cleanliness best practices and not throwing trash in the area around the pool.
If you can’t see the bottom, don’t swim.
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Watch your children
Children should never be left unsupervised or allowed to swim alone.
All public pools are required to have certified lifeguards, but it’s recommended that you still keep a phone nearby to call for help if it’s needed.
Montgomery County Public Health Spokesperson Dan Suffoletto said parents should be sure to give their kids sunscreen and adequate bathroom breaks in addition to keeping a watchful eye on them.
The American Red Cross recommends learning CPR and first aid to help ensure everyone’s safety at the pool.
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Keep your body healthy
Safety at the pool means more than just swimming carefully and abiding by the rules — it’s also important to stay hydrated and use sunscreen.
Suffoletto recommends using waterproof sunscreen if you plan on swimming, and reapplying it when you get out of the water.
It’s important to stay hydrated, especially in the summer heat — but Suffoletto said it’s a bad idea to drink pool water.
Of course, it’s not always sunny. Suffoletto said it’s important to monitor the weather and avoid swimming when thunderstorms are in the area
