Precautions are urged at pools

Utah health officials have confirmed 12 cases of cryptosporidium this year, but only one is swimming pool-related.

But with hot weather and more people out swimming, the Utah Department of Health is reminding people to cooperate to keep swimming pools safe.

Regulations designed to keep the parasite at bay include a requirement that children under age 3 and anyone without bowel control wear a swim diaper and waterproof swim pants. Individuals who have had diarrhea within the past two weeks need to stay out of the water. And pool owners have to respond properly to fecal accidents in the pool.

There are other precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to avoid getting sick. Those include not swallowing pool water, taking a cleansing shower before swimming and washing hands after using the toilet or changing diapers, frequent bathroom breaks for kids, changing diapers away from the pool and washing baby's bottom with soap and water before swimming.