Healthy & Safe Swimming Week  

Eustis FL– The Florida Department of Health in Lake County will be observing the 13th annual “Healthy and Safe Swimming Week” which is observed May 22-28, 2017. The goal of this week is to maximize the health benefits of swimming by promoting healthy and safe swimming.

“Keeping your child safe in the water starts with proper supervision and everyone should wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket while boating or on personal watercraft.” Said Stephanie Daugherty Environmental Health Director with the Florida Department of Health in Lake County.

As part of Water Safety Month and Healthy and Safe Swimming Week, the Department will be participating in multiple Water Safety Day events being held at Lake County city pools on May 20^th and 27^th.  The events will include opportunities to sign kids up for swimming lessons, a mock drowning exercise, educational booths, and free swim time.

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year, Healthy and Safe Swimming Week focuses on simple steps swimmers and pool operators can take to help ensure a healthy and safe swimming experience for everyone.  It focuses on the role of swimmers, aquatics and beach staff, residential pool owners, and public health officials in preventing drowning, pool chemical injuries, and outbreaks of illnesses. It highlights swimmer hygiene and the need for swimmers to take an active role in helping to protect themselves and prevent the spread of germs

“We all play an important role in preventing water illnesses and injuries” said Aaron Kissler, Health Officer with the Florida Department of Health in Lake County.  “We will continue to raise water safety awareness in order to decrease the possibility of injury and drowning in our community”

For additional information and resources, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/observances/hss-week/index.html or the department website at https://lake.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/environmental-health/public-pools/index.html

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.