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Don't forget to shower before entering the pool -

Everyone needs to take a shower to wash off any dirt and sweat before hopping into the pool. Swimming in the pool is not a substitute for a shower!

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Don’t bring electrical devices near the pool -

Some pool owners make this mistake. Don't forget that electrical shock can and does happen. Keep anything electrical, such as radios, at a safe distance from the pool.

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Don't swallow the water -

Whatever you do, don't swallow the pool water. The diarrhea causing parasite crypto is frequently found in public swimming pools. You're safe if you don't ingest any pool water.

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Don't play near the drain -

It's easy for clothing, a limb, or hair to get stuck in a pool drain, making it tough to swim back up to safety. So when swimming it's best to avoid pool drains.

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Don't stare at others -

No one, no matter what they look like, should feel like they're being objectified, made fun of, or judged. Everyone has the right to feel comfortable, so don't be rude by staring.

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Don't swim with diarrhea or an open wound -

To keep the water safe to swim in for everyone else, refrain from swimming in the pool if you have diarrhea or an open wound. Pool chemicals can't kill all bacteria!

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Don’t use glass -

Drinking glasses are an accident waiting to happen. These include cocktail and wine glasses, too. Instead, use plastic cups or mugs.

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Don't push someone in -

It might be tempting to push a buddy into the pool. But that push could prove to be dangerous. Avoid the temptation, as it's easy to hit one's head on the side of the pool.

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Don't swim with long toenails -

Make sure to trim your toenails regularly. No one wants to accidentally get kicked in the pool, and on top of that get injured by a sharp toenail. Ouch!

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Don't forget sunscreen -

You must protect your skin from the sun with SPF. Don't forget to regularly reapply it throughout your time sweating on the poolside and after jumping into the water.

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Don't urinate in the pool -

This is an obvious one, but do you know the potential health issues? Researchers have found when urine and sweat mix with chlorine, two chemicals form: trichloramine and cyanogen chloride. Exposure to these can cause respiratory problems, as well as skin and eye irritation.

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Don't forget to see if a lifeguard is on duty -

If there is no lifeguard on duty and the pool is sparsely populated, it would be best to wait to take a plunge, especially if children are present. This is all for everyone's safety.

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Don't directly shock your pool -

Shocking a pool, meaning to add a high concentration of chlorine, is never a good idea. Doing this can negatively impact your pool liner in three ways: by causing bleach stains, compromising its durability, and eventually causing leaks.

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Don't dive in if you don't know the depth -

Unless you know how deep a pool or body of water is, don't dive in. You might tragically discover that it's far more shallow than it looks.

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Don’t drink and swim -

Most adult pool parties have alcoholic beverages. But you should think twice before entering a pool while drinking. Alcohol will impair your motor skills, your breathing, and your orientation, increasing the risk of an accident.

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Don’t leave your pool area open and unsecure -

Make sure the pool is fenced in according to local laws, and keep the area locked whenever it’s not in use. This isn't only for the safety of kids, but also pets.

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Don’t let your pool get gross -

Keep your pool properly maintained with the appropriate chemicals. A clean pool doesn’t just keep the water clear, it prevents health hazards, too.

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Don’t allow horseplay -

Some games can get a little out of hand. Rowdy behavior and any activity involving dunking or throwing people in the water shouldn't be allowed.

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Don’t forget to drink water -

Even if you don't feel thirsty, it doesn't mean that you're not dehydrated. Every half hour, encourage all swimmers to take a break from the pool to drink some water.

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Don't forget appropriate swimming gear -

There is some gear that is a must for a public  swimming pool, like a hair cap, goggles, and swimwear. The hair cap keeps your hair dry and shields it from the pool’s harmful chemicals. The goggles protect your eye from chlorine. Proper swimwear reduces drag when swimming.

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Don't overeat before swimming -

Swimming takes a lot of energy, so it’s important to have something in the belly before doing it. But overeating may pressure your gut to expel out food you have eaten just before swimming. So don't eat anything heavy.

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Don’t run along the outside of the pool -

Slips and falls are one of the most common causes of pool injuries. You’ll significantly reduce the risk of accidents by prohibiting running around the perimeter.

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Don't forget to warm up -

Swimming is an intense exercise where the body needs to first be prepared. Start by warming up and gradually increase your intensity. Then get in the pool.

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Don't ignore the water level -

A pool water level that drops below the skimmer means your pool pump will draw in air instead of water and begin to run dry. Running dry for too long can cause overheating and actually melt your pump’s housing.

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Don't forget to read the rules -

The rules are there for a reason, and that reason is the safety of you and everyone else at the pool. So make sure to read everything and follow the rules. 

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Don't leave children unattended -

This seems like a no-brainer, but it's an important reminder! If you have to step away to the restroom for a moment, make sure that either an older sibling or another adult is there to keep an eye on the kids.

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Don't splash when you dive in -

If you're splashing at a crowded public pool, you could be ruining the experience for everyone else. Save these big splashes for private pools instead, or for those days that the public pool has few people.

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Don't cross your lane -

This applies to public pools, where the lanes are often clearly marked slow, medium, and fast. If you share a private lap pool, be considerate. Stay in your lane.

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Don't pretend to drown -

It's not funny to pretend to down. Doing so takes adults and lifeguards away from watching out for someone who might really be in trouble. Also, if you're one day actually in distress, those same people might think you're playing around again.

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Don't forget to take responsibility of your kid's swim diaper -

Your kid's swim diapers can get embarrassing if you don't take responsibility for it. Be intuitive, and change the diaper frequently. Don't forget to teach your child to communicate with you about hygiene.

See also: (LittleThings) (The Spruce) 

See also: Bad hygiene habits you didn't know you had

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