5 Swimming Pool Myths Debunked [VIDEOS]

During hot weather, the pool is a popular place to be.

Not many are lucky enough to have a pool of our own so must defect to the public pool.

How clean is my public pool? Do I really need to shower before I take a dip?

Here are some pool myths debunked.

#5 Itchy eyes are a result of the chlorine. We’ve assumed for many years it’s simply the chemicals from the chlorine. WRONG! Those itchy, red eyes are the result of the chlorine actually bonding with the sweat and urine of ourselves and our fellow pool-mates. Yuck.

#4 You don’t need to wash your hands. While some germs can be wiped out by chlorine on impact, some parasites and germs can survive for DAYS in a properly treated pool.

#3 A heavy chemical smell means it’s clean. In reality that “clean” smell means chloramines have formed and that more chlorine is probably needed to combat the sweat, cosmetics, and urine already in the pool.

#2 If somebody uses the pool as a toilet a dye will alert all. That safety fail many of us have thought could be trusted over the years is a dirty lie! There is no magical chemical that responds to urine in the pool to warn us all away.

#1 Wait an hour after eating to go into the water. Eating before swimming will not cause any adverse health risks unless a little cramping or possibly reduced digestion is a concern. Generally, unless you are in open water or competitively swimming (or eating) you will survive.

Sara Sommers, an intern at Townsquare Media, contributed to the creation of this post.