Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality issued the following announcement on July 1.
With the Independence Day holiday approaching, the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) encourages Oklahomans to visit the state’s lakes, rivers, or streams. While recreating at these natural water bodies, DEQ reminds you to follow some simple tips to help keep you and your family safe while swimming, boating, canoeing, or enjoying other water activities.
Natural bodies of water, especially warm and stagnant water, can contain organisms that may cause illness. Bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms can cause skin, eye, and ear infections, respiratory infections, or gastrointestinal upset. Illness can range from mild to severe. While some microorganisms occur naturally, others are carried into surface waters from a variety of sources.
Please consider the following precautions to protect against water-borne sickness when recreating in natural waters:
Choose swimming areas carefully
Pay attention to signage about water conditions
Stay away from any area that has stagnant water, floating debris, scum, an oil sheen, or dead fish
Avoid swimming near storm drains
Do not swim in flooded areas
Take simple precautions
Hold nose or wear nose plugs when jumping into the water
Avoid swallowing water when swimming
Wear ear plugs to prevent ear infections
Wear swim goggles or masks to prevent eye infections
Wash skin with soap and water after swimming
Prevent spread of illness to others
Take children to the restroom frequently
Use swim diapers on infants
Rinse off prior to entering the water
Avoid swimming if you are ill
Original source can be found here.
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