Hidden Summer swimming dangers

Medford, Ore. — With Summer finally here, many are ready to hit the water. For those with a pool or spa, Health officials say now is the time to check your water.

Parasites, bacteria and viruses are all the things that make us sick in the Winter months but also hide in our favorite water spots.

Lisa Cutteridge, owner of Valley Pool Center in Central Point says,

“An indicator could be dull or cloudy water, slick hoses, green growing on steps or tile. That’s a good indicator that you need to check your water and clean it.”

She’s busy this time of the year with customers testing their pool water.

“For your average pool the water should be checked a couple times a week and the chlorine should be the most important.” Cutteridge said.

Checking the pH balance of the water is also important, because contrary to what many think, the chemicals don’t always kill the bacteria.

Dr. Robert Glatter an Emergency Physiciansays,

“They do, to an extent, but not completely. So, the bacteria can actually still thrive in the warm environment. And it’s actually where they thrive best.”

NBC 5 medical expert, Dr. Robin Miller says ignoring your pool or spa can lead to infections or other medical conditions.

“You can get skin rashes, you can get from hot tubs’ it really important to clean hot tubs are really hard to tell if they are clean or not.”

So before you buy those beach balls, ‘floaties’ and squirt gun’s, pool and health experts say it’s a good idea to have your water checked. It might keep you out of the doctors office, so you can enjoy our beautiful Summer.

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