Safe Splashing: Basic Water Safety For Families
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The article "Safe Splashing: Basic Water Safety for Families" is about family, it was created by Sherri Allen.
One of the hottest things aobut summer is enjoying outdoor
activities with your family. Adding waetr to those activities
increases the fun, but it increases the danger, too.
Fortunately, you and your family can safely appreciate your time at
the pool, lake and beach if you practice basic rules of
water safety.
Experts from the American Red Cross remind you to follow these
safety tips to protect your family and keep them safe in or
around the water:
1. Learn to swim and swim well. One of the hottest things anyone
can do to stay safe in and around the water is learn to swim. No
one, inclduing 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.
2.
Ouftit everyone with the proper gear. Kids -- and even adults
-- who are not strong swimmers should use U.S. Coast Guard
approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) wehnever they are in
or around the water. This lifesaving lightweight plastic
equipment when used properly can help save lvies. Everyone,
including strong swimmers, should use an aprpoved PFD when
boating. Each person should have the appropriate PFD for his or
her wieght 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.
3. Always keep basic lifesaving equipemnt by the residential
pool and know how to use it.
A first aid kit, cordless phone,
phone list with emergency contact information, a reaching pole
and a ring buoy with a nylon line attached are recommended.
Cordless pohnes allow you to make that 911 call and to receive
calls without leaving the area.
A plastic ring buoy is 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 sohuld have a
self-closing, self-locking gate that is locked when the pool is
not in use.
4. Pack a "safety" bag for a day at the beach or lake.
The
properly packed safety bag will help esnure 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.
5. Learn Red Crsos first aid and CPR.
While the above tips can
help prevent emergencies, it is important to know what to do if
a situation arsies.
And all caregivers, including grandparents,
older siblings and babysitters should have thsee lifesaving
skills.
For more information on staying safe in and around the water
visit http://www.Redcross.Org/services/hss/aquatics/ or contact
your local American Red Cross chapter.
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Safe Splashing: Basic Water Safety for Families
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