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Courtesy City of Laredo Health Department,

Laredo, TX—Summer is here and the City of Laredo Health Department (CLHD) wants to remind the public about recreational water use safety in order to prevent accidents, and above all to drowning.

Public Pools must have:

·         Self closing, self latching gates and protected with alarms.

·         Power safety cover when the pool is not in use.

·         Rescue equipment that is kept by the pool.

·         Lifeguards who know cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

·         Proper maintenance, monitoring and maintaining appropriate chlorine and pH levels.

·         Rinsing and washing facilities before and after swimming (i.e. showers).

·         Bathrooms and must post a “Wash Hands” sign in a visible area.

·         Postings of safety rules.

Residential and Private Pools

·         Must have a barrier around the pool to prevent access (48 inches above grade).

·         The dwelling wall can serve as part of the barrier.

·         Doors with direct access to the pool shall be equipped with an alarm with audible warning, of no less than 30 seconds, when door opens.

·         All access gates must be self closing and have self latching devices.

·         All floor drains must have safety covers.

·         Use power safety cover when the pool is not in use.

·         Wading pools and water slides should be emptied and turned over after use.

·         Rescue equipment must be kept by the pool.

·         Personnel and owners should learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

·         Provide appropriate maintenance, assuring appropriate levels of chlorine and pH levels.

For all pools:

·         Swim only when the bottom of the pool is clearly visible.

·         Wear appropriate swim wear (no cut offs) and rinse before and after swimming.

·         Never run in wet areas (push or jump on others around water), always observe all safety rules, never swim alone and follow any advisories that may not allow swimming.

·         Do not keep glass containers by the pool.

·         Never leave children unsupervised.

·         Wash hands after going to the bathroom.

Natural Bodies of Water

·         Choose swimming areas carefully, especially if they are natural bodies of water.

·         Poor water quality increases the risk of illness for children, the elderly, or people with weakened immune systems.

·         Don’t dive! Microorganisms can enter the body through the mouth, nose and ears when diving.

·         Never swim with cuts and wounds and don’t swallow the water. 

·         Pay attention to signage and avoid swimming in waters that are under a swimming advisory and in inland waters that have been closed or under advisory because of pollution or other risks.  Do not swim or play in stagnant water or water with dead fish or algae in it.

·         Do not swim or play in natural waters immediately after a heavy rain, as contaminants in the surrounding area may have washed into the water.

·         Do not swim or play in waters near sewer pipes, discharge pipes, or storm drain outlets.

·         Do not swim in water that is also frequented by livestock or other land animals.

·         Do not drink or swallow water from natural bodies of water and hold your nose shut or use a nose clip when taking part in water recreational activities in bodies of warm freshwater such as lakes, rivers, or hot springs.

·         Avoid digging in or stirring up sediment in shallow, warm freshwater areas.

·         Shower with soap and water after swimming or playing in the water.

For more information about safe swimming you may call the
City of Laredo Health Department at (956) 795-4918.