• Swimming is a great activity, but the water can pose risks.
  • Learn what you can do to protect yourself and others from swimming-related illnesses and injuries at all type of recreational water venues, like pools, splash pads, and natural bodies of water.
Mom in the pool with her arms around her young daughters who are on either side of her.

Table of Contents

Why it matters

Swimming and other recreational water activities come with health and safety risks, like swimming-related illnesses and drowning.

Swimming-related illnesses are diseases that people can get from germs in the water in which they swim and play. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged 1–4 and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for kids aged 5–14. Natual bodies of water like oceans, lakes, and rivers can come with additional hazards. Knowing the safety and quality of those waters before visiting them is important.

Learning what you can do to reduce the risk of injury and illness from the water you swim and play in can help you and those you care about maximize all of the health benefits that swimming can bring.

Learn more

Young boy in pool wearing a lifejacket and goggles.

Learn how to keep your home pool safe and healthy for everyone who uses it.

man in hot tub

What you can do to prevent illness and injury when using a hot tub.

playing in kiddie pool

How to keep plastic pools and slides germ-free and safe for kids.

Children playing in a splash fountain

What parents can do to keep their kids healthy when going to a splash pad.

Three kids playing in the ocean together while wearing snorkels.

How people can prevent water-related illness and injury at oceans, lakes and rivers.

Young Black man on boat wearing a life jacket.

Drowning is a major public health issue that can be prevented.



Content Source:

National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID); National Center for Environmental Health