Pool Safety

• Pool fun starts with a clean, safe place to swim. When you choose a place for your family to swim, check for the following points:
• The area is supervised by a lifeguard.
• The water is clean and safe.
• The facility is clean and well maintained.
• No electrical equipment or power lines are in the area.
• Emergency and safety equipment are available.
• The depth of the water is marked.
• Life lines separate the shallow from the deep water.

Each facility sets its own rules. Make sure you read those rules and follow them, and discuss them with your children. Always supervise your child in and around a swimming pool.

Most pools have diving boards, and diving can be a safe, fun activity – as long as a few common-sense rules are followed:

• Learn how to dive properly.
• Follow posted diving rules.
• Dive only in water at least nine-feet deep.
• Dive only when you know what is on the bottom.
• Swim away from the diving board.
• Dive arms and hands first, not head first. Keep your arms over your head when you dive and steer up to the surface.
• Watch for others in the water.
• Use the diving board one at a time.
• Don’t dive off the board until the area is clear and the swimmer in front of you has swum to the side.

If the pool you choose is part of a water park, here are some additional safety tips:

• Make sure your children stay with you; don’t let them run off by themselves.
• For all rides, make sure you are in the proper position to avoid injury.
• Follow the rules of the ride. If your child is too big or too little to be allowed on a ride, it’s because it would be dangerous to your child or others for him or her to ride it.
• Teach your children not to take a dare in the water. It’s braver to say “no” than to take a foolish risk.
• Ask your children to walk, don’t run.
• Listen to and obey the lifeguards.
• Arrange a spot to meet if family members get separated.
• Have all family members apply sunscreen regularly.
• Ride the slides feet first only, not head first.
• In a wave pool, know how deep the water is before the waves start. Watch for rafts or inner tubes. Listen for the signal that the waves are starting.

A Day at the Lake

A day at the lake usually means fun, sun, and relaxation. But there are hidden dangers, and knowing how to avoid them can ensure that your family’s trips to the lake remain enjoyable and safe.

Start by bringing some essential items to protect yourself from the sun. Sunscreen, extra clothing, and sunglasses will keep the sun’s rays from harming you; bring water to drink to prevent dehydration as well. Also check the weather report before you go to know weather conditions are favorable for swimming. When you arrive at the lake, find a location near a lifeguard.

To stay safe while swimming, follow these tips:

• Never swim alone. Always watch and closely supervise your children.
• Swim close to shore, so you are out of the way of boating traffic.
• Never dive into the water head first; you could break your neck.
• Never play games that involve holding your breath. You could pass out underwater.
• Never roughhouse.
• If you observe a danger, report it to the lifeguard.
• Finally, show respect for the aquatic environment by not littering. Litter not only looks unsightly but also can harm marine life. For instance, a turtle could eat a plastic bag and suffocate, or a plastic six-pack holder could strangle a bird. Leave only your footprints in the sand.

A Day at the Beach

If you are going to the beach this summer, there are some additional safety precautions to keep in mind:

• Inspect the shoreline for jellyfish or man-of-wars. If they’re on the beach, chances are they’re in the water too.
• Look for large waves, and don’t swim if the surf is dangerous.
• Watch for rip currents, which have drowned many swimmers. Signs of a rip current include debris or flotsam moving toward the sea, cloudy or murky water that has a mushroom shape, or unusual choppiness. If you should get caught in a rip current, don’t panic and don’t fight it. Wave your arms for help if someone is nearby to assist. As the current takes your further away from the shore, it will weaken. At that point, swim parallel to the shore for a short distance and then swim back.
• If a large wave breaks near you, don’t jump over it, but duck under it to avoid being driven to the bottom.
• Never throw sand; it could cause eye injuries.

HANDLING MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

Accidents can happen even when lifeguards and parents are vigilant. To prepare for this situation, we urge you to get CPR and first aid training so you will be ready to help your child in the event of an accident or medical problem on water or land.

You also should know how to contact emergency services through 911. First, know if your community has a 911 system. If it doesn’t, learn your community’s emergency numbers.

If you should have to call for assistance, do the following:

• Give your name, location, and telephone number first.
• Explain the type of accident that has occurred and what types of injuries have been sustained.
• Describe the victim’s symptoms and what first aid has been provided.
• Answer honestly any questions asked. If you don’t know the answer, say so. Don’t guess when someone’s life is on the line.
• Wait for the operator to tell you to hang up the phone, then stay on the line until he or she has disconnected to ensure that he or she has gotten all the necessary information before you hang up.
• Wait by the phone momentarily to see whether a follow-up call is made.
• Remember to stay calm.