By Brianna Kelly, American Red Cross

Summer is here and people across Southern California are headed to pools, lakes, water parks, beaches and more. As families across SoCal beat the heat and enjoy some fun in the sun, the American Red Cross encourages everyone to be water smart.

"Before families head out to pools and parks, it’s important for all family members to learn and review critical water safety skills,” says Nayeli Trejos, Director, Aquatics and Public Safety – Western U.S. with the American Red Cross.

Preventing unsupervised access to water, providing constant, active adult supervision and knowing how to swim are critical layers of protection to help prevent drowning.

This summer, remember these four water safety tips:
 

• Nobody should ever swim alone – adults and teens as well as children. Never leave a young child unattended near water, and do not trust a child’s life to another child.  
• It’s best to always designate a “water watcher” who will keep a close eye and constant attention on children and weaker swimmers in, on and around water until the next water watcher takes over. 
• Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.  
• Reach or throw, don't go! In the event of an emergency, reach or throw an object to the person in trouble and tell them to grab on. Don’t go in! You could be in danger of drowning yourself. If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.

“Knowing fundamental Red Cross water safety skills will help you feel more prepared for fun outings in, on and around the water and help save lives,” says Trejos.

The recently revamped Longfellow’s WHALE Tales Water Safety for Children program, a no-cost program from the Red Cross, is designed to help children from all backgrounds in kindergarten through 5th grade learn water safety behaviors without having to be in or near the water. Educators, swim instructors, parents, caregivers and others can use this resource to teach water safety lessons to children. Learn more at redcross.org/WHALEtales. If you’re a parent or caregiver teaching your own children, visit redcross.org/watersafetyforkids for free resources and water safety information.

The free Red Cross Swim app can also help children and adults learn about water safety. Download the app, available on iPhone and Android, by texting SWIM to 90999.

Visit redcross.org/watersafety to learn more and find swim program information and water safety tips. Remember, you can make a splash this summer by doing your part and being water smart!