When Do DC Swimming Pools Open in 2017?

WASHINGTON, DC — Memorial Day is fast approaching and the temperature is rising, and that means people are starting to think about when they'll get their first dip in the pool in D.C.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 27, which is Memorial Day Weekend and the unofficial start of summer pretty much everywhere. That will be opening day for public pools pretty much no matter where you go, not only in the District but also Arlington and Fairfax Counties in Virginia, and Prince George's County in Maryland.

The opening date applies to all public pools, but it may not apply to private pools -- you'll have to check with the individual property managers in those cases, although they're likely to open at around the same time as the public pools.

Obviously, indoor pools are open year-round, so if you can't wait until May 27, there's always that option. Of course, you can't bask in the sunlight, which is part of the fun.

You can find an outdoor pool near your neighborhood on D.C.'s Department of Parks and Recreation website.

If you do head to the pool, keep in mind the following tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Use a test strip available at most superstores or pool-supply stores to determine if the pH and free chlorine or bromine concentration are correct.
• Make sure the drain at the bottom of the deep end is visible. (Clear water allows lifeguards and other swimmers to see swimmers underwater who may need help.)
• Check that drain covers appear to be secured and in good repair. (Swimmers can get trapped underwater by a loose or broken drain cover.)
• Confirm that a lifeguard is on duty at public venues. If not, check whether safety equipment like a rescue ring or pole is available.
• Stay out of the water if you have diarrhea.
• Stay out of the water if you have an open wound (for example, from surgery or a piercing) that is not covered with a waterproof bandage.
• Shower before you get in the water. Rinsing off in the shower for just 1 minute removes most of the dirt or anything else on your body.
• Protect against sunburn by using sunscreen with at least SPF 15 that blocks both UVA and UVB rays.
• Use well-fitting Coast Guard approved life jackets for flotation assistance rather than foam or air-filled toys.
• Don't pee or poop in the water.
• Don't swallow the water.
• Keep an eye on children at all times, kids can drown in seconds and in silence.
• Take kids on bathroom breaks.
• Check diapers, and change them in a bathroom or diaper-changing area–not poolside–to keep germs away from the pool.
• Reapply sunscreen.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Dry ears thoroughly with a towel after swimming.

Image via Flickr user Dave Matos