Every year, we’re more than happy to welcome back summer and all the fun that goes with it. But with those warm-weather activities also comes an unfortunate but important safety reminder: don’t let warm, fresh water go up your nose, lest a brain-eating amoeba swims up there with it. [More]
swimming
Brain-Eating Amoeba Found In Fresh Water Claims A Victim In Minnesota
By 7.10.15
Summer is here again, with its promises of cool, refreshing water holes and having fun in the sun swimming. But before you take a dip in freshwater lakes and ponds, take heed: The brain-eating amoeba often found in such bodies of water has claimed another victim, and this time, it struck much farther north than where it’s usually found. [More]
Florida Officials Warning Swimmers Of Flesh-Eating Bacteria Responsible For 2 Deaths This Year
By 6.15.15
Beach season is a welcome time of the year for swimmers and sunbathers, but along with the warm weather comes warm water, and a potential health hazard: Florida health officials are issuing their yearly warning to swimmers (and diners) about the dangers of a flesh-eating bacteria that’s caused two deaths already this year. [More]
California Ups Testing For Contaminated Public Waterways
By 10.12.11
Responding to an increase of contaminated waterways in the state, California’s State Water Resources Board plans to test its 3 million acres of rivers, streams and lakes, which may have been polluted with nastiness including bacteria and pesticides. [More]
How To Spot A Contaminated Swimming Pool, And Why You Should
By 5.29.09
It’s gray and rainy up here in the tropical paradise of upstate New York, but for those of you in more temperate climes, Consumer Reports Health kicks off the weekend with some frightening statistics about the American public’s pool hygiene, and how to tell whether a pool will make you sick or not before you dive in.
Pool Operators Slow To Comply With New Safety Law; Make Sure They Do
By 1.15.09
The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act—which requires filtration systems to have special safety covers—was named after a 7-year-old who was killed in 2002 when she was trapped at the bottom of a hot tub by “hundreds of pounds of suction force.” It’s not the sort of accident that happens frequently, but when it does it’s a grisly and horrific event. Unfortunately, despite the law being in effect since the middle of last month, and the fact that pool operators have known about it for over a year, CNN reports that many pools still haven’t been brought into compliance.
Google Suggests You Swim Across The Atlantic Ocean
By 3.29.07
Google, either encouraging physical fitness or zero population growth, offers the above helpful suggestion when mapping the route from Chicago to London.
Click here for the full directions and map of the route.—MEGHANN MARCO
