Is it safe to drink water from a hose?

Kids will be kids and we know during the summer, some children, and even adults, tend to sneak a drink of water from the garden hose.

But experts say it's not a good idea.

Hoses aren't regulated by safe drinking water laws, so they can release lead or chemicals in the plastics.

And some of those chemicals are banned from children's products.

The water may also have insects, dirt, or other debris.

An occasional drink is OK, but be aware the hose fittings are another concern.

"If it's brass, that will release a lot of lead, and if you run the water for enough time to flush the hose, that first bit of water that was up by the brass fitting is going to be loaded with lead. So you have to let it run for a couple of minutes to make sure you're safe," Dr. Dan Allan of The Cleveland Clinic said.

Experts also recommend against using the hose to fill your pets' water bowls, for the same reason.

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