COLUMBIA, S.C. – The fun of swimming in a pool, lake or the ocean can be quickly forgotten if that experience results in a recreational water illness (RWI), the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced today.

“That’s why the week of May 18th has been designated as Recreational Water Illness Awareness Week – to remind ourselves about healthy swimming behaviors in order to prevent recreational water illnesses and injuries,” said Jim Ridge, a recreational waters compliance coordinator for DHEC’s Bureau of Water. “RWIs are illnesses which can be spread by swallowing, breathing in vapors of, or having contact with contaminated water in swimming pools, water parks, spas, interactive fountains, lakes, rivers or oceans. The most common RWI is diarrhea. Injuries at these facilities can occur in or out of the water.”

Ridge said this year’s RWI Prevention Week focuses on injuries associated with pool chemicals.

“Pool chemicals make the water where we swim safer by protecting us from germs, but these same chemicals can also cause injuries if they are not properly handled,” he said. “That type of preventable injury leads to thousands of emergency room visits each year.”

Ridge suggests ways public pool operators and residential pool owners can take steps to protect themselves and swimmers:

• Secure pool chemicals and keep them away from children and animals.
• Follow manufacturer’s directions before each use of pool chemicals.
• Use appropriate protective gear, such as safety glasses and gloves, when handling pool chemicals.
• Never mix chlorine products with each other, acid or other substances.

According to Ridge, the best way to prevent RWIs is to keep germs out of the pool in the first place. Swimmers can also take steps to protect a fun and healthy swimming experience:

• Don’t swim when you have diarrhea.
• Don’t swallow pool water.
• Practice good hygiene. Shower with soap before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers.
• Take your children for bathroom breaks and check diapers often.
• Change diapers in a bathroom or a diaper-changing area and not at poolside.
• Wash your children thoroughly and completely with soap and water before they go in the water.

For more information about healthy swimming, visit:

• DHEC’s Healthy Swimming Web site at: http://www.scdhec.gov/environment/water/recreation.htm
• CDC’s Healthy Swimming Web site at: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming
• The Environmental Protection Agency’s beaches Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/beaches
• To access prevention recommendations, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/pdf/pool_chem_assoc_inj.pdf.