KEEPING SAFE AT THE BEACH

TO MAINTAIN healthy environments, operators at beaches should consider:

• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces at least daily and shared objects each time they are used. These include handrails, slides, and structures for climbing or playing; lounge chairs, tabletops, pool noodles, and kickboards; door handles and surfaces of restrooms, handwashing stations, diaper-changing stations, and showers.

• Setting up a system so that furniture that needs to be cleaned and disinfected is kept separate from already-cleaned and disinfected furniture.

• Labelling containers for used equipment that has not yet been cleaned and disinfected, and containers for cleaned and disinfected

equipment.

• Laundering towels and clothing according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use the warmest appropriate water temperature and dry items completely.

• Protecting shared furniture, equipment, towels, and clothing that has been cleaned and disinfected from becoming contaminated before use.

• Ensuring safe and correct use and storage of disinfectants, including storing products securely away from children.

• Taking steps to ensure that all water systems (for example, drinking fountains, decorative fountains, hot tubs) are safe to use after a prolonged facility shutdown to minimise the risk of Legionnaires’ disease and other illnesses associated with water.

• Providing physical cues or guides (for example, lane lines in the water or chairs and tables on the deck) and visual cues (for example, tape on the decks, floors, or sidewalks) and signs to ensure that staff, patrons, and swimmers stay at least six feet apart from those they don’t live with, both in and out of the water.