Health officials offer water safety tips | Health

(WMC-TV) – As the mercury continues to climb, more people will be headed to the pool. And while swimming can be fun, it can also be very dangerous.

“We want all of our Shelby County constituents to be safe around swimming pools while having fun,” said Dr. Tyler Zerwekh, administrator of Shelby County Health Department, Environmental Health Services Bureau. “Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental injury-related death in children ages 1-14.”

That’s why the county health department is recognizing this week as Recreational Water Illness and Injury (RWII) Prevention Week.

“RWI are caused by germs that are spread by swallowing, breathing in mists or aerosols of, or having contact with contaminated water in swimming pools, hot tubs, water parks, water play areas, interactive fountains, lakes, rivers or oceans,” said a health department spokesman.

One of the most common water related health problems is swimmer’s ear, but there are things you can do to prevent it.

“Kyour ears as dry as possible by using a bathing cap, ear plugs, or custom-fitted swim molds when swimming,” health officials say. “Dry your ears thoroughly after swimming or showering by using a towel. Tilt your head and pull each ear in different directions while facing down to allow water to escape the ear canal.”

Here are some other tips to stay safe around water:

• Never swim alone
• Make sure children know their skill levels when it comes to swimming
• Do not allow diapered babies to get into a pool or wading pool
• Do not sit on drains or place hands in vents
• Do not remove life-saving equipment from pool area or play with it in the pool
• Do not climb over fences to gain access to pools

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