A friend posted an article on Facebook about a $50-million public pool that just re-opened up in one of my old neighborhood haunts in Brooklyn. The facilities look amazing in the photos, large and well-kept. The problem: recent teen violence that included two police officers getting punched in the face.
I remember back to my own public pool experiences growing up. There we were, all smashed together like sardines and loving it. I also remember cutting my foot on the bottom of the pool, whether it was on a rough edge or a piece of glass. I’m not sure which, but it bled and bled.
Most of us don’t have to worry excessively about injury or assault at public pools, although it can happen. Combine too many people in one space when the temperatures soar, and there is bound to be some conflict.
Then, we have the issue of bacteria and illnesses caused by it. There is actually a name for it, Recreational Water Illnesses or RWIs. This includes a wide variety of infections of the skin, ear, respiratory system, eye, wound, and of course gastrointestinal tract. The last illness is pretty common, because the germs that cause it are usually resistant to chlorine.
Although you may not want to think about it, any public pool containing kids is also going to contain urine and possibly fecal matter. According to a study, one in five adults admits to urinating in the pool, and that is adults.
One thing public pools have going for them is that they are usually regulated by the state. For sanitary reasons, chlorine levels must be maintained at a certain level, regular inspections must be done, and safety rules must be enforced.
The bottom line is that before you bring your family to a public pool, you should do your research. Make sure that you know the area, the pool is up to par in inspections, has a safe tract record and is well maintained. In addition, instruct children not to swallow pool water, and of course, tell them not to pee in the pool.
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