Healthy Swimming & Recreational Water Home

How Can We Prevent Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs)?

Six Steps for Healthy Swimming

Following these healthy swimming steps will help to protect you, your family, and other swimmers from recreational water illnesses (RWIs):

Three Steps for All Swimmers

Keep germs from causing recreational water illnesses (RWIs):

Don't swim when you have diarrhea. You can spread germs in the water and make other people sick.
Don't swallow the pool water. Avoid getting water in your mouth.
Practice good hygiene. Shower with soap before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Germs on your body end up in the water.

Three Steps for Parents of Young Kids

Keep germs out of the pool:

Take your kids on bathroom breaks or check diapers often. Waiting to hear "I have to go" may mean that it's too late.
Change diapers in a bathroom or a diaper-changing area and not at poolside. Germs can spread in and around the pool.
Wash your child thoroughly (especially the rear end) with soap and water before swimming. Invisible amounts of fecal matter can end up in the pool.

Below you will find additional resources, organized by audience group (swimmers and parents, aquatics staff, and public health professionals), to help you learn more about preventing RWIs.

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