Summer is right around the corner and people are flocking to the beach, pools, lakes and water parks. No matter what type of water you’re diving into, recreational water illnesses (RWIs) are a real concern. Every year, many outbreaks are caused by exposure to contaminated water and the surrounding areas. Fortunately, with a little caution and Clear Gear bleach-free disinfectant, you and your loved ones can swim safely this summer.
Germs are rampant in recreational waters—and chlorine doesn’t kill all of them immediately. There are a variety of RWIs that rear their ugly head each year, including norovirus, E. Coli, Cryptosporidium aka “Crypto,” Shigella and Giardia, among many others. While RWIs are not usually fatal, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that children, pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals are at greatest risk of experiencing severe infections that can be life-threatening.
Read on for some easy ways to protect against these nasty infections.
Avoid Swallowing Swim Water
Swallowing even a small mouthful of swim water can result in an RWI. Avoid it at all costs and teach your kids to plug their noses when swimming.
Skip the Swim if You’re Sick
Avoid recreational waters if you’re sick or have diarrhea. You can easily expose others to dangerous germs by swimming when you’re ill. Swimming should be avoided for at least two weeks after experiencing diarrhea.
Shower Before Swimming
One of the best ways to protect yourself and others against RWIs is to shower immediately before jumping in the water. This will remove dirt and germs so that you don’t bring any into the water with you. Use antibacterial soap and stay in the shower for at least one minute. Note: While it may be tempting to jump in the pool after a workout, your sweat can spread illness to others.
Shower After Swimming
Jump in the shower immediately after enjoying the water. This will help remove any germs that you may have picked up along the way.
Dry Your Ears
Water that gets trapped in your ear canal creates a breeding ground for bacteria. Dry your ears thoroughly after swimming. Tip your head from side to side to let water drain and then gently dry your outer ear with a soft cloth or towel.
Disinfect Your Gear
As soon as you’re out of the shower, disinfect all your gear with a complete home disinfectant spray like Clear Gear that kills 99.9% of germs. Target everything you bring and wear, from flips flops, towels and clothes to goggles, snorkels and surfboards.
Spray the Deck & More
If you have your own pool, hit the deck, diving board, chairs and any other surface that could be exposed to germs with Clear Gear complete home disinfectant spray. Since it contains no bleach, ammonia, alcohol or peroxide, it won’t damage equipment.
Click through to learn more about Clear Gear, the most powerful bleach-free disinfectant for protecting against recreational water illnesses and more.
