Important safety tips when near water

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - Summer has officially been ushered in since June 26. Pools and beaches are seeing their highest volume of consumers, summer is back.

It is important to go over tips and things to keep in mind when around water. These rules are not just for kids but for everyone.

The American Red Cross has put together a safety tips page, with some of the most useful things to remember next time you are at the beach or the pool:

• Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards. Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone.
• Provide close and constant attention to children you are supervising, even when a lifeguard is present, no matter how well the child can swim or how shallow the water is. Avoid distractions including cell phones.
• Never leave a young child unattended near water and do not trust a child’s life to another child; teach children to always ask permission to go near water.
• Stay within arm’s reach of any weak or inexperienced swimmer who is in the water.
• Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.
• Do not rely on the use of water wings, swim rings, inflatable toys, or other items designed for water recreation to replace adult supervision.
• If you have a pool, secure it with appropriate barriers to prevent unsupervised access to the water.
• If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.
• Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.
• Have appropriate equipment, such as reaching or throwing equipment, a cell phone, life jackets, and a first aid kit.

For more information, please visit redcross.org.

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