My Pool Pal Swim-sters Help Protect Children From Dangerous Waterborne Illnesses

Monday May 15, 2006 - GAINESVILLE, Ga. (May 15, 2006) – My Pool Pal, a children’s water safety products company, is working to educate the public about recreational waterborne illnesses (RWIs) and the dangers they pose during the swimming season. The company’s Swim-sters® undergarments reduce the chances of deadly bacteria being released into the water by little ones who wear the product by up to 98 percent, thus protecting children from such serious illnesses as e coli, cryptosporidium (crypto), giardia and shigella.

National organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are observing the week of May 22-29 as National Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week. Over the past few years, incidents of serious illnesses and deaths have occurred after children released dangerous bacteria into the water of public swimming facilities. RWIs are spread by swimming in contaminated recreational waters such as swimming pools, waterparks, lakes and the ocean. If swallowed, germs in contaminated water can get into the body and cause serious infections in the eyes, nose and ears, as well as in cuts and scrapes. Most of the diseases associated with swimming cause diarrhea and are contracted by swallowing contaminated water.

Parents and guardians have a solution to help keep the water safer for swimmers. Tested by researchers at the University of Georgia, Swim-sters have been proven to significantly reduce the bacteria released from the swimsuit of a water-immersed child, even in cases of watery diarrhea. When wearing Reusable Swim-sters, children are 98 percent less likely to release bacteria from waste into the water. The disposable undergarments reduce the amount of bacteria by up to 93 percent.

The CDC’s Health Swimming Campaign provides consumers with guidelines for making participating in water activities safer and more enjoyable for families. My Pool Pal endorses the recommendations.

· Do not let children enter the water if they have diarrhea. People can spread germs in the water even without having an accident and can cause others to become sick.

· Do not swallow the water

· Wash your children’s and your hands with soap and water after using the toilet and after changing diapers. You can protect others by being aware that germs on your body end up in the water.

· Take children to the toilet for bathroom breaks often

· Change diapers in a bathroom, not near the pool or other body of water. Germs can contaminate surfaces and objects around the water and cause illness to others.

· Wash children thoroughly, especially their bottoms, with soap and water before swimming. Everyone has invisible amounts of fecal matter that end up in the water.

My Pool Pal Swim-sters are designed to replace disposable and cloth diapers, and work best when worn under children's swimsuits. The Reusable Swim-sters are made from a nylon/Lycra blend with a specially laminated liner. The disposable version of the Swim-sters undergarments can be used all day during water activities or until it becomes soiled, and is made of a specially designed durable fabric. The products provide the additional benefits:

· Designed to contain fecal mater, both in and out of the water

· Do not absorb water

· Made with breathable fabric that does not trap air. When air is trapped in a swim diaper, fecal matter is more likely to be released from the diaper.

· Ultra thin, making it easier to tell when children have accidents

· Will not come apart in the water

· Elasticized legs and waist openings that fit snugly on children’s bodies

· Designed to be worn underneath children’s swimsuits

· Can be used all day during water activities or until soiled

My Pool Pal’s Reusable Swim-sters are $14; a three-pack of Disposable Swim-sters is $10. The products are available in sizes from newborn – toddler. The company also makes Swim-sters (up to size XXXL) for children and adults with special needs. Swim-sters may be purchased online at www.mypoolpal.com.

My Pool Pal products are manufactured and distributed by Sterling Brands. The company’s products also include children's patented flotation swimwear, swimwear accessories and a U.S. Coast Guard-approved swimwear flotation device, Aqua Force®. For more information on My Pool Pal, visit the company's web site at www.mypoolpal.com or call 1-800-453-9399.

For more information about RWIs, CDC’s Healthy Swimming Campaign and National Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week, visit www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming.