Water Safety Tip for Families
Insist on Adult Supervision.
- Swim in areas where there are lifeguards when possible.
- Constantly watch your children in or near the water.
- Keep young children within arm's reach.
- Assign adults to watch children at social events.
- Never drink or allow the use of alcohol or other drugs during water
and boating activities or while supervising children.
Learn to Swim.
- If you don't know how to swim well, find someone to teach you.
- Learn to tread water for at least 10 minutes.
- Make sure your children learn to swim. Upgrade their swimming skills
each year. Check about lessons at your local pool or lifeguarded beach.
Know the Water.
- Make sure the water is safe for diving. When in doubt, don't dive
- Check for hidden objects, currents and water plants.
- Be aware that cold water can kill, even on hot summer days. Stay
close to shore and rest if you are cold or tired.
Wear a Life Vest.
- Always wear a life vest when you are on a boat, innertube or raft,
even if you can swim. Children also need life vests on docks and when
they are near the water.
- Wear a life vest if you are swimming in lakes and rivers. It's easy
to misjudge the water and your swimming skills. Trouble can happen
- Life vests allow you to swim and cool off. They allow a full range
of motion to do all your strokes (except swimming under water).
- Make sure your life vest is U.S. Coast Guard approved.
Know what to do in an Emergency.
- Learn child and adult CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
- Bring a cell phone with you or know where to find the nearest phone.
- Dial 911 in an emergency.
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January 23, 2007