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American Red Cross Offers Lifesaving Water Safety Tips
National health and safety expert offers advice for healthy and safe summer
Contact: Stacey Grissom
grissoms@usa.redcross.org
Phone: (202) 639-3310
Pager: (877) 771-1909
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National Headquarters
430 17th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20006
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WASHINGTON, May 31, 2002 — Now that the summer season is in full swing and fun in the water will be part of gatherings and vacations nationwide, the American Red Cross reminds families to practice water safety to ensure everyone stays healthy and safe in and around the water.
“Summer is a great time for children and parents to enjoy outdoor activities especially swimming whether at the pool, beach or lake,” said Connie Harvey, American Red Cross national health and safety expert. “But accidents can happen if we take a vacation from safety. The good news is that many water tragedies can be prevented, so both parents and children, need to remember some basic rules of water safety.”
The Red Cross urges families to remember the following safety tips when engaging in activities in or around the water:
- Learn to swim and swim well. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim well. Everyone, including adults should be supervised. Adults should practice “reach supervision” or be within arm’s length of a child in case an emergency occurs.
- Learn Red Cross CPR. All caregivers, including grandparents, older siblings and babysitters should know this lifesaving skill.
- 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. Everyone, including strong swimmers, should use a Coast Guard approved PFD when boating. “Everyone should have the appropriate PFD for their weight and size. This information is printed right on the label as part of the Coast Guard stamp. “This lifesaving lightweight plastic equipment when used properly, can help save lives,” points out Harvey.
- 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, reaching pole and ring buoy with a line attached are recommended. “Cordless phones allow you to make that call to 911 if necessary plus you aren’t called away for a ringing phone. First aid kits contain plastic face shields, which can help prevent disease transmission. Plastic ring buoys are easy to maneuver so that even a child can use one if the need arises to help save a life,” says Harvey. “These items coupled with a pool emergency action plan help everyone breathe a little easier.”
- Pack a “safety” bag for a day at the beach or lake. “Water-proof sunscreen, SPF 15 or higher, water shoes to keep feet safe from the heat and objects on land and in the water and plenty of water are must haves,” says Harvey. And all containers should be plastic to prevent injuries from breaking glass. The properly packed safety bag will help ensure that everyone comes home safe and sound.”
For more information on staying safe in and around the water visit www.redcross.org or contact your local American Red Cross chapter.
The American Red Cross is dedicated to saving lives, easing suffering and restoring hope at home and around the world. Currently operating on a budget of $2.7 billion, the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to the victims of more than 67,000 disasters nationwide and has been the primary supplier of lifesaving blood and blood products in the United States for more than 50 years. In 2001, the Red Cross also trained almost 12 million people in vital lifesaving skills, provided direct health services to nearly 2.6 million people and delivered more than 21 million locally relevant community services. The organization also assisted international disaster and conflict victims in close to 40 locations around the globe, and its emergency communication centers processed 1.2 million calls in support of U.S. military families.
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