Health Officials Test Swimming Pools Before Memorial Day Weekend Openings

Checks were made on Friday to make sure pool-goers stay safe and healthy.

Health officials ran tests to make sure city pools were safe before many open Memorial Day weekend, 10TV’s Jerry Revish reported.

“We make sure the gate is self-closing and latchable,” said Joe Harrod of the Water Protection Program. “The next thing that we’ll look at is the first aid kit. We want to make sure that there’re things in here to stop bleeding and gloves for protection if someone is bleeding.”

Jose Rodriguez of Columbus Public Health said that warm weather can be a breeding ground for illnesses.

“We know that almost every year, we see levels of outbreaks and all kinds of illnesses that come with a great thing, which is pool season,” Rodriguez said. “Recreational water illness can be easy to prevent, (if) it’s put through rigorous tests.”

Health officials said that it is easy to tell if a pool has been inspected recently.

“You know, parents expect that when they go to a pool, it will be a safe facility,” Rodriguez said. “That’s why we ask you to look for the green sticker. That means the pool has been inspected by, in this case, Columbus Public Health.”

Rodriguez said that it is critical that parents have information so they can make informed and smart decisions.

The health department said that it tries to inspect pools about two to four times during the summer months.

The department is in charge of checking about 750 licensed commercial pools in the area, Revish reported.

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