For Immediate Release
May 24, 2005

Contact: Howard Sutter
(714) 834-2178

Recreational Water Quality Important To Summer Health And Safety

(Santa Ana) - Orange County residents and visitors will be heading to public beaches and swimming pools this Memorial Day holiday during the first national observance of Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week, May 23-30.

“Enhancing the quality of Orange County’s recreational waters is important to the health of all Orange County residents,” said Dr. Margaret Beed, Orange County Health Care Agency Chief Medical Officer. “Taking a few simple precautions will increase everyone’s enjoyment of summertime visits to swimming pools and beaches.”

Recreational water illnesses can be spread by swallowing or having contact with contaminated water from swimming pools, spas, lakes, rivers, bays and harbors and the ocean. These illnesses can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including gastrointestinal, skin, ear, respiratory, eye and wound infections.

When visiting the beach or a swimming pool, follow these healthy swimming behaviors:

1. If you or your children have diarrhea, don’t swim! You can spread germs in the water and make other people sick.
2. Don’t swallow pool or ocean water.
3. Practice good hygiene. Shower before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers.
4. Take children on bathroom breaks or change diapers often. Waiting until you hear “I have to go!” may mean that it’s too late.
5. Change diapers in a bathroom and not at poolside. Germs can spread to surfaces and objects in and around the pool and cause illness.

For more information regarding Recreational Water Illnesses and Healthy Swimming, visit www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming. For current information on ocean and bay postings and closures in Orange County, visit www.ocbeachinfo.com  or call (714) 433-6400.

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