Water Safety
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To help you and your family avoid tragic accidents while in, on and around water, the American Red Cross offers the following water safety tips to ensure a fun and safe family day:
- Enroll in an American Red Cross certified Water Safety course or Learn-to-Swim class. One of the best things one can do to stay safe in and around the water is learn to swim. These courses encourage positive, safe practices. A Water Safety Handbook can be purchased online at our Red Cross Store.
- Maintain constant supervision. Watch children around any water environment. For younger children, practice “reach supervision” by staying within an arm’s-length reach.
- Wear the proper gear. Kids – and even adults – who are not strong swimmers should use U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) whenever they are in or around the water. Everyone, including strong swimmers, should use an approved PFD when boating. When used properly, this lightweight plastic equipment can help save lives.
- Always keep basic lifesaving equipment by the residential pool and know how to use it. A first aid kit, cordless phone, phone list with emergency contact information, reaching pole and ring buoy with a line attached are recommended. In addition, the Red Cross recommends that pools be surrounded on all sides by a fence that is at least four feet high. Fences should not provide any footholds which can allow a child to climb over or through. Also, fences should have a self-closing, self-locking gate when the pool is not in use.
- Swim in supervised areas only.
- Obey "No Diving" signs.
- Watch out for the "dangerous too’s." Take a break at the point of being too tired, too cold, too far from safety, or of too much sun, too little hydration, too much strenuous activity.
- Don’t mix alcohol and swimming. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination, affects your swimming and diving skills and reduces your body's ability to stay warm.
- Pack a “safety” bag for a day at the beach or lake. Water-proof sunscreen with an SPF 15, or higher, water shoes to keep feet safe and plenty of water are musts. All containers should be plastic to prevent injuries from broken glass. Also, hats and sunglasses keep eyes safe from dangerous UV rays.
- Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.
- 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. All caregivers, including grandparents, older siblings and babysitters, should have lifesaving skills.
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