‘Pool Cool’ resumes in southwest Nebraska

    Pool Cool is returning to the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department after being put on hold several years ago.  
    This program works with swimming pool staff to provide education about skin cancer and ways to prevent it.
     Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer found in the United States, as it accounts for nearly 1.3 million new cases of cancer each year. As the heat starts to bring the kids out of the house and into the pool, SWNPHD encourages residents to remember taking action to protect their skin now which will help prevent skin cancer in the future.
    “What does sun protection look like? Most would think adding some sunscreen a couple times a day is enough, and even though it is a good start there are few more things we can all do to protect ourselves,” said Maria Beasley, Program Manager with SWNPHD.
    She offered several suggestions to that effort.
Stay safe in sun
    Use sunscreen that has the proper sun protection factor and reapply it every two hours.
    Wear coverings when outside such as hats, long sleeves or pants.
    Seek shade.
    Avoid staying outside during the peak sun hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    SWNPHD staff will be visiting area swimming pools to increase awareness of sun protection practices with pool staff and pool users.
    The health department will also provide signage for the pools to educate swimmers and act as a reminder.
    Beasley added, “We will also be providing sunscreen so if someone forgets to apply before arriving to the pool, they will have some readily available.”
    Using the Pool Cool program that the National Cancer Institute has made available for area pools is a great tool to help educate all swimmers and pool employees on sun safety and preventing skin cancer, she added.