A stunning number of public swimming pools, water parks, hot tubs, and other aquatic venues across the nation are failing to meet health and safety standards, according to a new report.
In fact, health and safety violations are so common at public swimming venues that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends parents inspect these facilities themselves before allowing their children to get in the water.
Researchers with the CDC reviewed 2013 inspection data on almost 50,000 public swimming venues in Arizona, California, Florida, New York and Texas. They found that almost 80 percent of venues had at least one health and safety violation. What’s more, 1 out of every 8 facilities had to be closed immediately because they posed a serious threat to public health.
Kiddie pools fared the worst, with 1 out of every 5 closed because of a serious violation, researchers found.
The most common violations had to do with pH levels, safety equipment and disinfectant concentration. At their most serious, these violations can lead to illness, poisoning, burns and drowning.
Yet despite the widespread problems, many local health departments aren’t even regulating public swimming venues, according to Michele Hlavsa, chief of the CDC’s Healthy Swimming Program. That means you, the parent, may need to do a basic inspection yourself [pdf].
Start by checking online or at the swimming venue itself to see if the facility has posted inspection results. The CDC also recommends bringing your own test strips to check the water’s pH and chlorine levels, although that’s probably impractical for many people.
Here’s some more realistic advice:
• Make sure the drain at the bottom of the deep end is visible. That means the water is clear enough for people to notice if an underwater swimmer is in distress.
• Check drain covers are secure and in good repair. Loose or broken drain covers can trap swimmers underwater.
• Confirm that a lifeguard is on duty, or that rescue equipment is available.
If something’s wrong, don’t get in the water. Report problems to the person in charge.
What do you think about this report and the advice from the CDC? Are you worried about the safety of your local public swimming facility?
Leave a comment