“Marco!” “Polo!” this is a classic water game enjoyed in pools all over. One person is chosen to be Marco Polo. Eyes closed, he or she counts to 10 while the rest of the players scatter about in the pool. The next person Marco touches becomes Marco and the game begins again. Surely not the most creative game, but hey, it’s summer, school’s out, and anything is fun in the pool. Right?
To make sure that pool play stays fun, there are a few safety rules to keep in mind.
Lather up with sunscreen
Everyone of every age (even people who have darker skin or rarely burn) should choose a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15. The more susceptible you are to burn, go higher with that number. Reapply at least every other hour, and, of course, every time you come out of the pool.
Better yet, block out rays all day long with a sunblock. There are two kinds of damaging rays: UVA that cause skin cancer and UVB that cause sunburns. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and are also responsive for most premature aging, such as brown spots, wrinkles, and sagging.
Key ingredients to look for are zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, Parsol 1789, or Helioplex. Apply liberally —use at least one ounce to cover exposed body parts. Apply to dry skin at least 15-30 minutes before going outside. Stay out of the hottest rays of sun from 10am to 4pm in Tucson.
Safety first, especially with home pools
Teaching your child to swim does not mean he or she is safe in the water. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends protecting your children from drowning by doing the following:
• Never leave children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment.
• An adult who knows CPR should actively supervise children in the pool at all times.
• Practice ‘touch supervision’ with young children. This means that the adult is within an arm’s length of the child at all times.
• A fence is absolutely necessary to separate your house from the pool. An adult-level self-closing, self-latching gate is imperative.
• Keep rescue equipment and a telephone by the pool.
• Do not use air-filled swimming aides as a substitute for approved life vests.
• Remove all toys from the pool after use so children are not tempted to reach for them.
• After children are done swimming, secure the pool so they cannot get back in.
• Never let anyone in the pool when lightning or thunder is present.
Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink
A further warning is to teach your children to not drink the water when swimming. Germs in swimming areas (pool, lakes, water parks, and the ocean) can lead to recreational water illnesses. Some of these germs can be killed by chlorine, but it doesn’t work right away. Some germs are resistant to chlorine and can live in pools for days. Take extra precautions to dry out ears after swimming, and do avoid swimming in areas that have been known to be polluted. Keep fresh drinking water available at all times.
Next time you hear “Marco” just head for dry land. They never tag you if you do!
