To protect your health and the health of other swimmers, always take a complete shower immediately before and after swimming in a pool. This practice should keep any disease- causing bacteria from entering the pool and remove any you may have come in contact with from your skin before an infection could start. For the same reason it is important to wash swim suits and allow them to thoroughly dry after each use.

If you have been ill with diarrhea or experience frequent loose stools, you should not swim in a pool while these conditions exist. Notify the person in charge immediately if you should see any signs of fecal contamination at a pool. If you have a diaper-aged child, they should wear a cloth diaper and tight fitting plastic pants while in a pool. Diapers should not be changed nor rinsed poolside. Also, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after using the restroom at the pool.

Before going out on the pool deck, apply sunscreen with a skin protective factor (SPF) of 15 or above. Depending on the length of time you are at the pool, and the type of sunscreen used, you may need to reapply it to maintain the proper level of protection.

Avoid dehydration by drinking lots of water or juice. On a hot day, don't wait until you are "dying of thirst" to drink. Alcoholic and carbonated beverages such as sodas are not good choices to quench your thirst. Alcohol impairs the body's sweat mechanism, and sodas may cause dehydration.

While on the deck wear a hat, lightweight, light-colored, loose clothing, and take breaks in the shade. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from direct sunlight and the glare off of the water.

Check with your doctor to see if any medications that you are taking could make you sun sensitive or reduce your ability to tolerate heat. Also, some foods such as celery, are known to increase skin sensitivity to sunlight.

Take it easy. On extremely hot days, physical exertion should be limited. Avoid being outdoors during the hottest times of the day. Go to the pool early in the morning or late in the day.