Check Your Water Safety Skills

With summer just around the corner, many people are looking forward to long weekends at the beach and lazy days by the pool. But before you take that first dive into the water to celebrate the warm weather, make sure you and your family members know the basic rules of water safety.

Mike Espino, American Red Cross national health and safety expert, reminds families to follow these safety tips for staying healthy and safe in or around the water:

Learn to swim and swim well. One of the best things anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is learn to swim. No one, including 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.

Know your child's skills and limits. "Parents should take into account that with no practice, it is a safe bet that the skills their child exhibited in the water at the end of last season are not the same. Also you can't assume they're the same in open water environments like the beach or lake as they are in the pool. Give your child the chance to get acclimated to the water again, and to a new environment," says Espino.

The Red Cross knows that despite parents' own ability or confidence in the water, active participation in their child's aquatic development is a key factor to a positive and successful experience.

That is a major reason why parental role is emphasized in the organization's updated Learn-to-Swim (LTS) and Parent and Child Aquatics modules, part of its recently revised swimming and water safety portfolio. The industry's standard for aquatics training, Red Cross swimming and water safety programs are offered at recreation centers and community facilities nationwide.

The American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program targets parents and their children ages 6 months to 5 years and includes six levels of instruction that help in the development of swimming and water safety skills. Parents become motivators, cheerleaders and supervisors as they partner with instructors to help budding swimmers progress through levels and master skills.

Outfit everyone with the proper gear. Kids - and even adults - who are not strong swimmers or who appear to rely on inflatable toys for safety should use U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) whenever they are in or around the water. "This lightweight plastic equipment-when used properly-can help save lives," says Espino. Everyone, including strong swimmers, should use an approved PFD when boating. Each person should have the appropriate personal flotation device for his or her weight 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," Espino suggests.

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, a reaching pole and a ring buoy with a nylon line attached are recommended. First aid kits should contain plastic face shields, which can help prevent disease transmission. Cordless phones allow you to make that 911 call and to receive calls without leaving the area.

Pack a "safety" bag for a day at the beach or lake. "The properly packed safety bag will help ensure a fun day in which everyone comes home safe and sound," says Espino. 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.

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," says Espino. And all caregivers, including grandparents, older siblings and babysitters should have these lifesaving skills.

For more information on the new American Red Cross swimming and water safety program or on staying safe in and around the water, visit http://www.redcross.org/article/0,1072,0_312_2249,00.html or contact the local American Red Cross chapter.