FOCUS:Before you go to that swimming pool

To fun animals, swimming is one activity that can provide both fun and fitness. In this era, swimming pools are very popular and accessible. Pools are common features of hotels, resorts, cruise ships, resorts and fitness centres. As the pool craze reaches its peak, people have always taken pools as the first priority service any reasonable hotel or lodge can ever have. In fact, resorts without swimming pools have lost their customers to the ones with them. Swimming is credited for being a less tiring and fun fitness exercise for all kinds of people. As other fitness exercises favour just a given group, it’s totally the opposite with swimming. For instance, swimming is recommended for pregnant women. Talking about the advantages of swimming can take us a whole day. This explains why swimming pools can’t be done away with. But while they may be popular, there are many dangers attached to swimming pools. Victims of swimming pool dangers have put their lives between risking going back or letting go of their long-time fun and pleasure source. “I stopped swimming after getting a deadly infection. The doctor confirmed I contracted it in a swimming pool,” says Jacqueline Kanyana. Regularly, swimming pools have been blamed for spreading skin diseases and abdominal infections for the women. Many bacteria can survive in swimming pools and circulate diseases among different swimmers. If not taken care of, a swimming pool can be more dangerous than anyone can ever imagine. Augustine Mukezangabo, the owner of La Palisse Hotel and an experienced person regarding swimming pools, dubs improper sanitation as a primary cause of swimming pool related diseases. He however warns of other different reasons that may make swimming pools unfriendly. “Public swimming pool water has to be filtered on a daily basis, which we do here but we can’t give 100 percent guarantee that no allergies and infections will occur.” It should be a routine that swimming pool water is treated every night, five hours before swimming. Basically chloride is used yet some people are allergic to it. This allergy can develop into a skin irritation or even a serious disease that calls for seeking a doctor’s help. People who are allergic to cold water also get affected by swimming pool water since it’s usually cold. Meanwhile, the number of people who swim also adds bacteria and the risk of infections in swimming pools. However much pool attendants try, the precautions for safer health after swimming, lie in the hands of the swimmer. “It’s a must that people first take a shower before and after swimming,” says Eritse Nsengiyumva, a swimming pool overseer. Some get allergies depending on how long they spend in a swimming pool and how their bodies respond. This is why young kids are told to leave water before it’s late. “If they delay in water, they catch a cold, goose pimples or even fever,” says Nsengiyumva. Swimming pool water is supposed to be blue in colour and if it’s green…it’s definitely dirty. What it takes to maintain a swimming poolAccording to Mukezangabo, a sample of swimming pool water has to be taken every morning. This sample shows if the water is less or highly contaminated. If it’s less contaminated, chloride is put to destroy the bacteria and if the contamination is soaring, then water experts are called. A standard swimming pool also possesses three underground filtering machines with sand in them to ensure that the recycled water is filtered. “Swimming pool water should at least be changed once a week,” emphasised Mukezangabo. Though many pool owners are cautious about how to maintain swimming pools, they compromise because of the high expenses. “We clean this swimming pool once in two days especially in seasons when we have less visitors,” says Adrian Akimana a pool attendant. He prefers to keep the hotel’s name anonymous because they fear losing customers. Akimana urges pool owners to be mindful of their customers and swimmers to take responsibility of their lives before and after swimming. Swimmers should bathe before entering the pool; they should consult a doctor in case they are allergic to the chemicals, bathing after swimming is necessary. People should also avoid using different body lotions before swimming; some people are allergic to them. Swimming pool owners should also keep the chemicals at a proper level. Do not increase chemicals to compensate for a dirty pool and also be adjustable when it comes to which chemicals to treat water with. As you enjoy your swim, remember life is more precious than fun. Avoid anything that can put you on risk. Ends