Environmental Health

Safety Tips, Drowning Prevention and Other Resources

Safety Tips for Swimmers

Stay safe and healthy while also protecting the water you are sharing with others by following these tips and guidelines:

Before going to the pool…

  • Review the latest health inspection report. SCPH inspection reports can be found HERE.

Once you get to the pool…

  • Review the posted rules.
  • STAY OUT of the water if you have diarrhea or have had diarrhea within the last two weeks.
  • STAY OUT of the water if you have an open wound that is not covered with a waterproof bandage.
  • If swimming outside, apply sunscreen SPF 15 or higher to protect yourself from UV radiation and sunburn.
  • Check for a lifeguard. If there is no lifeguard on duty, designate somebody to overlook your group. Children must be supervised.
  • Check to see where the safety equipment, first aid kit, and emergency telephone are located.
  • Make sure the water is clear and the drains on the bottom of the pool are visible and intact.
  • Do not get in the water if you sense a strong chlorine odor. This usually indicates that the water is not clean or there is a maintenance issue. A well maintained pool does not have a strong chemical smell.
  • Shower before entering the water. Rinsing off for even just 1 minute will minimize dirt and germs that could contaminate the water.

While swimming…

  • Avoid swimming alone.
  • Do not pee or poop in the water. Ensure children take bathroom breaks at least every hour.
  • Avoid underwater breath-holding activities and games.
  • Avoid swallowing pool water or getting it in your mouth.
  • Check children’s diapers and change them in designated diaper changing areas.
  • Reapply sunscreen as needed.
  • Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially if swimming outside on hot days.

For spa users…

  • Do not allow children under the age of 5 use a spa.
  • Do not use alcohol or drugs prior to or while swimming or using a spa.
  • If pregnant, consult a physician before using a spa.

After swimming…

  • Take a shower to wash off any germs you may have come in contact with in the pool.
  • Dry your ears thoroughly with a towel to prevent “swimmer’s ear”.
  • Wash your swim suit.

Drowning Prevention

According to the CDC, drownings are a leading cause of injury death for young children ages 1 to 14, and three children die every day as a result of drowning. You can help prevent drowning by taking these cautions recommended by the CDC:

  • Learn life-saving skills. Everyone should know the basics of swimming (floating, moving through the water) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
  • Fence it off. Install a four–sided isolation fence, with self–closing and self–latching gates, around backyard swimming pools. This can help keep children away from the area when they aren’t supposed to be swimming. Pool fences should completely separate the house and play area from the pool.
  • Make life jackets a must. Make sure kids wear life jackets in and around natural bodies of water, such as lakes or the ocean, even if they know how to swim. Life jackets can be used in and around pools for weaker swimmers too.
  • Be on the lookout. When kids are in or near water (including bathtubs), closely supervise them at all times. Because drowning happens quickly and quietly, adults watching kids in or near water should avoid distracting activities like playing cards, reading books, talking on the phone, and using alcohol or drugs.

For more information on unintentional drowning, visit the CDC’s website,

The Ohio Department of Health released these short drowning prevention videos in 2018:

Simple Steps Save Lives

Abbey’s Hope
 

Other Resources

Visit these links for additional information about safe swimming:

Hot Tub Displays and Legionella

Ohio Department of Health: Public Swimming Pools

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Healthy Swimming

2019 Healthy and Safe Swimming Week Toolkit

Make a Healthy Splash

Six Steps for Healthy Swimming

What’s in your Cannonball?

Health Code

Click below to see laws and regulations about RV parks, campgrounds:

Environmental Health Code Chapter 1850 - RV Parks & Camps

Download

Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 3701-26 - RV Park & Camp Rules

Download

Environmental Health Code Chapter 1810 - Resident & Day Camps

Download

Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 3701-25 - Resident & Day Camp Rules

Download

Contact

For more information, call:

(330) 926-5600

Summit County Public Health
1867 West Market Street
Akron, Ohio 44313

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pools & Spas

Swimming, soaking, and playing in the water can be fun family and friend activities. They can also be great ways to get the physical activity needed to stay healthy. However, they are not without some risk. Pools and spas are subject to a variety of environmental influences which can affect the health and safety of people using those waters.

Public swimming pools collectively include swimming pools, wading pools, special use pools, spas/hot tubs, and spray grounds. Each year, Summit County Public Health licenses and inspects approximately 300 public swimming pools within Summit County.  Public swimming pools are regulated under the authority of Chapter 3749 of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) and Chapter 3701-31 of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC).

The Ohio public swimming pool rules were formed to establish statewide standards for the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of these amenities. The purpose of these rules is to protect the public from injury, minimize the potential for disease transmission, and provide a healthy and safe recreational water environment. These rules do not pertain to private residential pools or public bathing areas.

Whether you are a swimmer, pool owner, or medical professional, the sanitarians at SCPH are here to answer your questions about staying safe in the water. For more information, browse our resources or contact us.

Contact us

 

 

Campgrounds, RVs, Resident Camps

Camps, like a small community, have their own environmental concerns and safety problems. Improper placement of recreational vehicles and incorrect utility connections on those vehicles or inadequate environmental controls can contribute to the spread of communicable diseases and/or cause injuries.

The goal of the SCPH Recreation Inspection Program is to reduce the potential for the spread of communicable diseases and/or injuries and assure that recreational parks and camps are maintained in compliance with applicable laws and rules through inspections of parks/camps and education of operators. The sanitarians at SCPH are here to help you. We can offer guidance and information to help you stay stafe and follow all applicable rules and regulations. For more information:

Contact Us

 

Resident camps/day camps

Resources:

 

 

 

Tick FAQs

Images of life stages of American Dog TickWhat diseases do ticks transmit?

In Ohio, there are several diseases that are of concern: Lyme diseaseRocky Mountain spotted feverAnaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis. If you suspect you might have a tick transmitted disease, please seek immediate medical attention.

Information about Lyme Disease in Ohio

 

 

Image of life stages of Blacklegged TickHow do I remove a tick?

If a tick is attached to you, please take the following steps to remove it from your body.

CDC Guidance for Tick Removal and Self Check for Ticks

 

 

 

Image of life stages of Lone Star TickCan ticks be tested for disease?

Some people are interested in having ticks that they removed from themselves, loved ones or pets tested for various tick-borne diseases.  The Ohio Department of Health does not recommend tick testing under these circumstances for the following reasons:

  • You may not have been infected.  Even if a tick is infected and tests positive, it may not have transmitted the infection to you.
  • It might delay treatment.  Tick test results take several days and may not be available in time to make a prompt healthcare decision.
  • You may have other tick bites that you don't know about.  Most people who are infected with tick-borne diseases do not recall a tick bite.  Therefore, if someone were to develop symptoms of tick-borne disease, there would be no way to know whether the infection was from a known tick bite or another unknown tick bite.  For example, if a tick is tested and the result is negative, you could still have been bitten by another infected tick, not know it, and develop symptoms of tick-borne disease.
  • Tests performed on ticks are not always perfect.  All laboratory tests have the possibility of false positive or false negative results.  Even with a negative result, people should still monitor themselves for the appearance of a rash, fever, and other flu-like symptoms.  If any of these symptoms occur, you should contact your healthcare provider.

Some private laboratories offer tick testing, but the Summit County Public Health (SCPH) does not collect ticks from the public and test them for tick-borne diseases.

 

Can ticks be identified?

Yes, SCPH will provide tick identification for residents of Summit County for ticks that were found on or attached to humans or pets. Once the tick species is identified, we can advise what diseases are associated with that particular tick. Testing of the ticks for the presence of diseases is not a service we are able to provide. In order to have a tick identified, please take the following steps:

  1. The tick must be removed from the person. SCPH will not remove a tick from someone’s body; please take the following steps to remove it. Please seek medical attention if unable to remove the tick.
  2. We will not pick up ticks.
  3. Please call 330-926-5600 to schedule a drop off or you can email pictures of the tick to tick@schd.org.
  4. SCPH will identify the tick within 1-2 business days.
  5. Keep the tick! We may reach out to you with additional questions if we are having difficulty identifying the tick. You can place the tick in a small, air-tight container, such as a pill bottle or baby food jar, with a few drops of rubbing alcohol to preserve it.

If you have any medical concerns, please discuss the situation with a doctor. They should explain and advise you on the signs and symptoms of tick-borne diseases.

 

Ticks and Pets

  • Keep your pet up to date on their tick prevention medication.
  • Check pets regularly for ticks if they have been outdoors.
  • Keep grass mowed to reduce tick habitat in your yard or keep pets out of tick habitat areas.
  • Dogs can be vaccinated against Lyme disease. Talk with your veterinarian to see if the vaccine is a good fit for your dog.

 

If you are concerned that your pet might have a tick-borne disease talk to your veterinarian.

Tick images from Ohio Department of Health.

 

 

page updated 06-05-2025

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