County health department urges pool safety
Hillsborough County Health Department is asking residents to use extra caution in the pool this summer, but this warning’s not about reckless fun.
The department wants people to stay safe from pool pathogens, as tiny microbes in unclean water can wreak havoc on the human body. To that point, your recently-treated pool water may not be as safe to splash in as you think.
“It can take more than an hour for pathogens to die in a properly treated and maintained pool,” department spokesperson Kevin Watler said in a press release. “In the case of a parasite called Cryptosporidium, often called ‘crypto,’ it can take over a week. Crypto is a microscopic parasite that causes the diarrheal disease cryptosporidiosis. Crypto is spread in places such as daycare settings, pools or other settings where someone may come in contact with feces from a person or animal with the disease.”
With the potential threats of E. coli, salmonella, noroviruses, parasites and more lurking in the water, anything going into the mouth or nose can be dangerous. The department issued the following safety tips for anyone in the pool to consider before diving in:
Keep your mouth closed. Although it may be tough, try not to swallow pool water.
Get clean before you go swimming. Whatever is on your body is going into the pool. If you have children, pay special attention to their behinds, since it is generally children under five that bring and dispense fecal material into pools. It is not just children though; many others have fecal material on their rear end that washes off in the water.
Take a bathroom break every hour, and be sure children do too even if they say they don’t have to go. Change swim diapers routinely in the bathroom, not on the pool deck. Be sure to wash hands with soap and water after using the bathroom or changing diapers.
If you have diarrhea, don’t go swimming and avoid contact with anyone with chronic illness, or sexual practices that could result in oral exposure to feces. Wash hands often.
Any water that could contain microscopic feces should be considered contaminated. Whether it is a lake, a swimming pool or hot tub, you and your family should remember to be clean when going in the water, and remember not to ingest pool water if possible. Try to make sure your day at the pool brings home only good memories and not infections.
Sheriff releases vehicle theft, burglary PSA
Near the end of National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister reminded drivers it doesn’t take much to keep their vehicles safe from thieves.
Chronister said in his Tuesday public service announcement that July and August are the top two months for vehicle thefts. He suggested drivers make sure to keep their keys out of the car when not in use and valuables out of sight at all times, if they must be in the car at all. He suggested checking all of your vehicle’s doors and windows to make sure they’re locked and rolled all the way up. He suggested parking in secure, well-lit areas at home or in public.
“Having home security cameras is helpful, but they don’t always deter crime,” Chronister said. “Protect your vehicle this month by remembering to lock it up.”
The full PSA is viewable online at youtube.com/watch?v=x9x3tNDOouU.
RCMA recruiting teachers, support staff
Redlands Christian Migrant Association, one of Florida’s largest childcare and education providers, is looking for help.
The RCMA is currently recruiting teachers and support staff members for 66 child development centers, three charter schools and after-school care programs in 21 counties. Open positions include charter school elementary Spanish teachers, charter school first grade teachers, early childhood development teachers, information and data specialists, cooks and bus drivers.
For more information on job openings and positional requirements, visit rcma.net/about-rcma/employment-at-rcma/.
Frontline Community Services fundraiser coming
Frontline Community Services wants to put the “fun” in “fundraiser” on Aug. 10.
The group will host its “Lazy, Crazy Days of Summer” event at the Sparkman House Luxury Bed & Breakfast, 707 N. Collins St., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. that Saturday. Attendees can cool off with fresh watermelon and homemade ice cream, play lawn games, jam to live music and pig out on BBQ dinners of chicken or pulled pork. Take-out dinner options are available.
Tickets cost $25 per person, but parties of four can get tickets for an $80 flat fee. Discounted delivery service options for orders of 20 items and up are available upon request. Call 813-323-4013 for more information.