5 summer activities that are filled with germs

Summertime is right around the corner, and it will bring warmer weather, outdoor activities, and happier moods. But before you jump back into your usual warm weather routines, there are a few health concerns that you should be wary about, the Medical Daily reports.

1. Hot tub

Hot tubs can be extremely relaxing. The warm temperature and the soothing jets can ease muscle tension and an aching body. However, the warm water can also bring something else — an unhygienic atmosphere. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common bacterium found in hot tubs, can cause an infection called a Pseudomonas folliculitis, also known as the "hot tub rash."

2. Swimming pool

Swimming in a pool can be a great way to exercise safely, but pools can also harbor disgusting critters.

It’s also important to remember that chlorine doesn’t kill all of the germs and bacteria in pools. "Many people think that when a pool smells of chlorine, that means that it's clean," said Mary Ostrowski, director of the Chlorine Issues at the American Chemistry Council, a trade organization. "But that smell is actually chloramines, a substance that results from a mix of chlorine and bacteria, urine and sweat.”

3. Playground

When children are young, playgrounds can be the nexus for all sorts of things. Whether it be exploring new places, making friends, or testing strength, playgrounds are a part of the growing up experience.

In 2007, ABC's Good Morning America conduced a swab test. They took samples from areas around New York, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington. They found that 59 out of the 60 samples contained germs that could make children extremely sick. They also found fecal matter, E.coli, Salmonella, hepatitis A, Shigella, strep-B, and Staph.

4. Bouncy houses

They’re bouncy and they’re fun, so who wouldn’t like a good jump in one of them? Well, they might also be bouncing with bacteria, too. 3 On Your Side, a local investigative news branch conducted an investigation and found that these plastic houses were filled with bacteria.

They say that the germs could be either viruses or bacteria and that the amount and type of exposure could make you sick, but it really depends on the amount of exposure, their own personal immune system, and how good they are about washing their hands after they've played in the bouncy houses, it won’t do any good to be fearful — being hygienic and aware is most important.

5. BBQ Grills

Summer is barbeque season, but before you start lighting up your grill there are a few precautions that you should take. Leaving your barbeque grill exposed to the elements is a bad idea. If a bird happens to pass by and leave droppings on your grill, the bacteria might not necessarily go away if you wash and clean it off. Heat doesn’t guarantee cleanliness either.

Be wary of tiny animals, too. If they unfortunately get stuck in the grill and die, then the resulting smoke and flames can cause your meat or vegetable to be contaminated.

Always keep your grill covered, even if you use them often and when you do, use foil paper and grill baskets that..

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