Water Safety Tips

The following information is provided by the American Red Cross.

• Learn to swim and swim well. One of the best things anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is learn to swim. No one, including adults, should ever swim alone. Adults should practice "reach supervision," which means to be within arm's length of a child in case an emergency occurs.

• Know your child's skills and limits. Parents should take into account that with no practice, it is a safe bet that the skills their child exhibited in the water at the end of last season are not the same. Also you can't assume they're the same in open water environments like the beach or lake as they are in the pool. Give your child the chance to get acclimated to the water again, and to a new environment.
• Outfit everyone with the proper gear. Kids - and even adults - who are not strong swimmers or who appear to rely on inflatable toys for safety should use U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) whenever they are in or around the water. This lightweight plastic equipment - when used properly - can help save lives. Everyone, including strong swimmers, should use an approved PFD when boating. Each person should have the appropriate personal flotation device for his or her weight and size, which is found clearly marked inside the label near the Coast Guard stamp. A great idea is to make a family day out of learning the rules of water safety and shopping for durable safety equipment together at a local pool supply store or mass distributor.
• Always keep basic lifesaving equipment by the pool and know how to use a first aid kit. A cordless phone, phone list with emergency contact information, a reaching pole and a ring buoy with a nylon line attached are recommended. First aid kits should contain plastic face shields, which can help prevent disease transmission. Cordless phones allow you to make that 911 call and to receive calls without leaving the area.
• Plastic makes the ring buoy so light even a child can save a life if the need arises. These items coupled with a pool emergency action plan - similar to a fire drill - help the whole family breathe a little easier. In addition, the Red Cross recommends that pools be surrounded on all sides by a fence that is at least 4 feet high. It should not provide any footholds, which would allow a child to climb over, or spacing to climb through. The fence should have a self-closing, self-locking gate that is locked when the pool is not in use.
• Pack a "safety" bag for a day at the beach or lake. The properly packed safety bag will help ensure a fun day in which everyone comes home safe and sound. Water-proof sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher, water shoes to keep feet safe from the heat and sharp objects on land, and plenty of water are musts. All containers should be plastic to prevent injuries from breaking glass. Also, a hat and sunglasses keep eyes safe from dangerous UV rays.
• Learn Red Cross first aid and CPR. While the above tips can help prevent emergencies, it is important to know what to do if a situation arises. And all caregivers, including grandparents, older siblings, and babysitters should have these lifesaving skills.