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News – Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Make a Healthy Splash: Share the Fun, Not the Germs
Healthy and Safe Swimming Week – May 18-24, 2015
SPRINGFIELD – This coming Memorial Day weekend, before you jump in the water, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reminds you of some simple things you can do to stay healthy while swimming.
“Swimming is a great summertime activity,” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “To make sure it doesn’t end in illness from swallowing germs in pool water, or injury from too many chemicals, IDPH has some basic prevention tips to help keep you safe and healthy when swimming.
The week before Memorial Day is designated as National Healthy and Safe Swimming Week. This year’s theme, “Make a Healthy Splash: Share the Fun, not the Germs,” focuses on the role of swimmers, pool/beach staff, residential pool owners and public health officials in preventing drowning, pool chemical injuries and outbreaks of illnesses. It highlights swimmer hygiene and the need for swimmers to take an active role in helping to protect themselves and prevent the spread of germs.
To help prevent illnesses associated with swimming at Illinois beaches, each licensed beach is inspected annually to determine if required safety features are in place and if there are sources of possible pollution, such as sewage discharges. To learn about beach closures, advisories and test results, check out the Illinois Beach Guard System at http://app.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/ilbeaches/public/Default.aspx. Additional information about swimming pools and other swimming facilities can be found at http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/recreation/swimming-facilities.
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