You may not realize it, but swimming with jewelry on can be pretty dangerous. We all want to look our best when we go out. However when it comes to taking a dip, you should leave your rings and necklaces at home. Below, we’ll discuss four reasons why. You’ll soon realize that swimming with jewelry on isn’t a good idea.
Understandably, many people have certain pieces of jewelry that they never remove. Some of these items are irreplaceable, expensive or sentimental. Removing an engagement ring or a family heirloom may feel strange, but here are some reasons to reconsider:
Drain Danger
Drain safety is nothing to ignore. In fact, we even have a whole drain danger blog post dedicated to the subject. Jewelry can get pulled into the drain of a pool or hot tub by its suction, causing drain entrapment. To avoid such a tragedy, make sure that your drains are properly covered.
Swimming with Jewelry On Attracts Sharks
Believe it or not, wearing jewelry in the ocean can catch the unwanted attention of a shark! You see, metallic jewelry is reflective. When you are swimming with jewelry on, it can reflect light and make it look like a fish’s shiny scales. This is also why a fishing lure is often made shiny to attract fish. Similarly, bright and contrasting colors, as well as blood, can also attract a shark’s attention.
Avoiding Damage to Your Jewelry
Aside from your ring causing you danger, your trip to the pool or beach can cause damage to your jewelry as well. For one, long or frequent exposure to chlorine can cause the metal of your jewelry to deteriorate or tarnish. In addition, chlorine and saltwater can dull and wear away at the finish of your gemstones and metal.
If you think a visit to the beach is a safer bet, think again. We’ve already warned you about the sharks, but staying on land isn’t a good idea for your jewelry either. This is mostly because of the sand, which is abrasive and coarse. This can scratch soft stones and wear down certain metals and metal plating.
Loss Prevention
When you sweat, your fingers expand; when you are cold, they contract. This can change the way your ring fits on your finger. In the cold water, it can cause your ring to fall right off of your finger. This is especially risky if you are at the beach, where a ring falling in the water or sand can easily be lost for good.
Turns out, this is a pretty common problem. North-West Brides reported research by jewelry insurer Protect Your Bubble stating that one in five people (18%) who lost their engagement ring explained that their ring fell off when they were swimming.
What to Do Instead
The best thing to do with your jewelry when you’re planning a trip to the pool or ocean is to leave it at home. This way, you’ll know it is safe and protected.
If you aren’t comfortable leaving it behind or your water excursion isn’t planned, you can stealthily hide the jewelry with the rest of your belongings. Since beaches are sometimes a popular place for thieves, you may try storing it somewhere a thief wouldn’t check, like in an emptied cookie container.
Happy swimming!
