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Red Cross Urges Water Safety on Memorial Day Weekend
Written by
Lesly C. Simmons
, Staff Writer, RedCross.org
Friday, May 27, 2005 — Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer, bringing warm weather,
barbeques and swimming across the United States. Many pools will also open for
the first time this year over the weekend, and the American Red Cross urges safety
for kids and adults on this holiday weekend and the rest of summer.
According to the National Safety Council drowning claims the lives of more than
4,000 people every year. The good news is that most water tragedies can be prevented
with a little training and preparation ahead of time.
Kids at a Red Cross swimming course in Virginia learn the basics in water
safety. |
"Many times a drowning victim had no intention of being in the water in the
first place," Connie Harvey, American Red Cross national health and safety
expert. No one, including adults, should ever swim alone. Adults should practice
"reach supervision," which means to always be within arm's length of
a child in the water to prevent an emergency.
A little planning can help adults prevent disaster at summer pool parties. Harvey
and other Red Cross experts have compiled answers to many of your questions about
water safety, including:
- When should my child learn to swim?
- What water toys are safe?
- How long after eating can I go back in the water?
- Where can adults learn to swim?
- Why is first aid and CPR training important for water safety?
- How do I make my home pool safe?
- How do I plan for a pool party?
- How do I hire lifeguards for a pool party?
Red Cross experts are available to answer
your questions about water safety, simply by submitting this form.
More than 3 million people a year take swimming lessons or water safety classes
from the Red Cross To receive learn more about these programs in your area, contact
your local chapter for more information.
Greater New York's Senior Aquatics Coordinator Linda Sue Sutherland
is expected to help NBC's Today Show officially
kick-off summer this Memorial Day, Monday, May 30. Sutherland, a former lifeguard
and 20-year aquatics instructor, will join TODAY hosts on the "Plaza"
to provide American Red Cross tips on staying safe in and around the water this
season.
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