Advice For Safety In Swimming Pools

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28748, 20 November 1958, Page 2

Advice For Safety In Swimming Pools

Cleanliness, consideration and| caution; these are the main ways: by which patrons of swimming I pools can help to reduce the pollu-I tion of the water, minimise the; spread of infection and prevent ; accidents, says a leaflet prepared by the Department of Health. Inspectors of Health frown on the u<se of the word “baths” when discussing swimming pools because they want to discourage the » idea that swimming in pools may j be associated with bathing the; body. The purification of the water in swimming pools is the business of. the management, the leaflet says,; but the maintenance of hygiene’ and pleasant conditions is depen-1 dent upon the co-operation of all! who use a community pooh It is unfair, for instance, to other swimmers and harmful to: the person concerned to go in thei water should he be suffering from! an infectious or contagious; disease, has an eye or ear infec-i tion. any discharge or running! sore, or who is wearing a dressing. Measures to be Taken In endeavouring to keep the water of a poo! as pure as pos-j sible the aim is to keep as much’ dirt, dust and impurity out of the! water as possible There are the’ points listed for minimising the, pollution of pools: If footbaths are provided, loose! dirt should be washed off the'

!l feet before entering the pool.! INo swimmer should go in the' j water unless his body and cos- ‘ tume are clean. Swim suits 1 I should be washed frequently, i ; Where showers are provided, j J swimmers should use them beJ fore going in the water. j Children should be trained not to ' spit or urinate in the water 1 1 and adults should regard this 1 1 as an intolerable habit ■ Dogs should not be allowed in the . ! pool enclosure. ; ■; Swimmers should never wash ; f ! their bodies or clothing in a:: pool. 1 Dressing rooms, toilets and the f ; environs of the pool should «j be maintained in a clean con- . ■( dition. ■; For the sake of protecting I ' others’ health and that of a person who may be suffering from ’infection these precautions are , >! mentioned: ! ! Anyone who has had middle ear d infection should not swim for . 5j six weeks after his recovery. ■{Fatigue leads to chilling and> b lowers the body’s resistance! to infection. It is. therefore,! important not to stay in the; water too long. ? Never use another swimmer’s ■ j towel. *'Any child complaining of sore; ’ears on swimming should bej JI referred to a doctor. Avoiding Accidents j Horse-play and irresponsible I J • behaviour in the water and i around the pool can cause acci-l Idenxs. It is, therefore, wise to! i think of the possible consequences ; i and resist These practices: : Running on slippery surrounds or ! boards and playing roughly. , 1 Diving from unauthorised places.; It is dangerous, and divers! should always check that I there is no-one underneath! j them when they dive. ’ Ducking without warning or pro-! longed ducking. The danger is< that a head pushed under, ; suddenly can have infection; »i forced into the middle ear. i j Going beyond the depth if you ’ r: cannot swim well J • Swimming alone. All these rules and regulations; 1 may sound a Uttle dampening to' ? the fun and good times which may be looked forward to in the! i swimming season, but wisdom in: 1 the water will ensure a happier, ‘ healthier summer. All swimming pools, are checked j r |regularly for purity of water and’ ? general hygiene standards, says! ithe pamphlet, and local body orj ! Department of Health inspectors : " are able to give ad sice and assist- ' fiance. / Swimmers are protected from _ cor. mac ting disease by good pool 1 j management and proper supervi- ' . sion. i Public pools usually have water i 1 purification plants. Smaller pools!. - add chloride of lime to the water, i It destroys disease-producing and ! other bacteria and is normally:. t harmless to swimmers. i