Missouri: Pool Cool project successful.

When NRPA and the Pool Cool project invited the seven Springfield-Greene County Parks and Recreation outdoor aquatics facilities in Missouri to participate in its 2000 pilot study about sun safety education, the aquatics department dove right in. The opportunity came with a free program outline, program materials, promotional items and eye-catching new signage. The only requirement was to return end-of-season surveys about how the department used the program. The staff saw how beneficial a program on sun protection would be to the families participating in the Learn to Swim program. They implemented Pool Cool in 2000 and 2001, and by summer 2002 it had blossomed into a fully customized educational program. Local news crews visited the pools and spore with guests about sun safety, finding them to be well versed and educated.

Pool Cool helped the community become sun-smart, as well as educate the aquatics staff about sun safety In addition to discussing the Pool Cool rules at pre-season orientations, lifeguards were taught how to find the UV Index each day, apply sunscreen correctly and wear T-shirts and other protective gear.

When the Springfield-Greene County facilities became part of the Pool Cool program, they thought it would increase awareness of the danger of overexposure to UV rays and help their citizens lead healthier lives. But the county gained something else--the program turned into a long-term, front-line risk management strategy for the department. Looking ahead, the department will easily be able to defend itself against litigation from staff who develop skin cancer and claim negligence by this department as an employer. Most importantly, every aquatics staff member is now educated and protected from sun damage.

--written by CPRP Aquatics Director Kirsten Allard Barnes.

For more information about Pool Cool, visit www.poolcool.org.