CDC Issues Skin and Pool Safety Tips for Summer
John Lorinc / WABE
If you’re heading out to catch some rays, be careful.
Officials at the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say skin cancer is the most common form of the disease, and that melanoma claims thousands of lives every year.
“People tend to think, ‘Oh, it’s just skin cancer, my doctor can just cut that off. It’s no big deal.’ But in reality, it can be very serious,” says CDC Behavioral Scientist Dawn Holman.
Holman advises seeking appropriate shade during the mid-day hours, when the sun is at its hottest. She also says people need to protect their skin with clothing and sunscreen.
It’s also important to stay safe when hitting the pool.
The CDC reports nearly 60% of public swimming pools tested positive for E. coli last summer. Officials say the numbers could be similar for private pools as well.
“We recommend taking a pre-swim shower and not swimming while ill with diarrhea. We also recommend that parents of young children take their children on bathroom breaks every 60 minutes, or check their children’s diapers every 30 to 60 minutes,” says Michele Hlavsa, the chief of the CDC’s Healthy Swimming Program.
She also says pool owners should keep a close eye on chlorine and pH levels.
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