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Recreational Water Illness and Injury (RWII) Prevention Week — May 20–26, 2013

The Environmental Health Services Branch (EHS) announces the release of several new healthy swimming resources.

Collage of photos: girl showering at pool, men checking pool chemicals, swim lane of pool, kids in pool gear, kids splashing in pool.

The week before the start of the summer swim season is Recreational Water Illness and Injury (RWII) Prevention Week (May 20–26, 2013). This observance represents a great opportunity to increase the public's awareness about recreational water–associated illness and injury and, more importantly, promote healthy and safe swimming.

New Healthy Swimming Data

New articles related to healthy swimming from MMWR - Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports:

Join CDC's Twitter chat, 5/22 -- Recreational Water Illness and Injury Prevention Week 2013

On Wednesday, May 22, from 2–3 PM ET, CDC experts Michele Hlavsa and Michael Beach will discuss:

  • How we benefit from swimming. Did you know swimming can improve your health—and your mood?
  • What’s in the water. Did you know chlorine and other disinfectants don’t kill germs instantly?
  • Where we swim. Did you know germs could be lurking anywhere you swim or play in the water—even in the pool down the street?
  • Popular topics: We’ll answer your questions on topics like swim diapers and breastfeeding in pools.
  • How to stay healthy and safe. Healthy and safe swimming is easy with CDC’s simple tips!
  • And more!

To participate, follow @CDC_NCEZID on Twitter and use the hashtag #swimsafe during the chat to view and respond to tweets.

Be the first to know CDC’s latest recommendations for aquatic venues!

Join CDC and partners for the release of the first edition of the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) for final public comment. The event will take place on July 8 at the National Environmental Health Aquatic Symposium, a special preconference session at this year’s National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) conference.

Until now, the MAHC was a set of modules based on specific topic areas. In July, you will see the first integrated version of the code, modeled after the Food and Drug Administration’s Food Code.

Resources from the Healthy Swimming/Recreational Water website

RWII Prevention & Response Tools for Public Health Professionals – materials to help inform the public, media, community leaders, and others about Recreational Water Illness and Injury (RWII) Prevention Week.

Healthy Swimming Fast Facts – information on Healthy Swimming and Recreational Water

Recommendations for Preventing Pool Chemical–Associated Injuries – seven categories of CDC recommendations for preventing pool chemical-associated injuries

Resources from the Environmental Health Services Branch

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