CDC: Thousands Of Public Pools Shutdown Over Health Violations
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Thousands of public pools and hot tubs are getting shutdown due to health and safety violations, according to a new report.
The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) collected data from various states including Florida and found nearly in 8 in 10 public swimming pools failed routine safety inspections. This means thousands of public pools, hot tubs and water playgrounds were forced to shutter.
The most common violations were bacteria in the water and improper PH levels, according to the report.
The inspection data was collected in 2013 from five states with the most public pools and hot tubs including Florida, Arizona, California, New York and Texas.
Despite the find, officials with the CDC say there are ways to keep these violations in check especially since it concerns public health.
"Almost one third of local health departments do not regulate, inspect, or license public pools, hot tubs, and water playgrounds," said Michele Hlavsa, chief of CDC's Healthy Swimming Program. "We should all check for inspection results online or on site before using public pools, hot tubs, or water playgrounds and do our own inspection before getting into the water."
The department says parents of young swimmers can do their own inspection by following this checklist:
- Use a test strip to check the PH levels and chlorine or bromine concentration. You can get these at most superstores and home improvement stores.
- Make sure the bottom of the deep end of the pool is visible.
- Check the drain covers to make sure they don't need to be repaired. Swimmers run the risk of getting trapped underwater by a loose or broken drain cover.
- Make sure a lifeguard is on duty at public pools. If not, make sure they have the proper safety equipment.
Click here for more swimming tips.
