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AMERICAN RED CROSS DAYTON AREA CHAPTER PROMOTES POOL AND WATER SAFETY

Memorial Day signified the unofficial beginning of summer, as the school year comes to an end and neighborhood pools begin to open. The warmer months are a time for fun in the sun, and water safety is integral to making sure your family stays safe in and around the water.

Whether you’re the parent of a child or just a child at heart, be sure to follow these safety tips when near the water.

Learn to Swim

Of the many simple ways to prevent accidents from happening in and around the water, learning to swim should be the first step. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that drowning claims the lives of more than 3,000 people each year, and children four and younger have the highest death rate due to drowning.

By enrolling children in swimming classes as early as age three, you can drastically reduce their risk of drowning. The Red Cross Learn-to-Swim class provides instruction to would-be swimmers of all ages and is designed to give students a positive learning experience. Aquatic and safety skills are taught in a natural progression of six skill levels, including stroke development and refinement and general water safety.

Be a “Lifeguard”

Most water-related injuries happen when parents take their eyes off their children. Whether your children are heading to the neighborhood pool or only have to go as far as your own back yard to take a dip, keep them safe by following these safety tips:

  • Never leave a child alone or unattended near the water. Even though a trained lifeguard may be present, all parents should practice "reach supervision," which means to be within arm's length of a child in case an emergency occurs.
  • Children who are not strong enough to swim on their own should use U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices (PFDs). However, remember that PFDs cannot replace parental supervision.
  • All people (and especially children) should always swim with a buddy and be knowledgeable of the water environment, taking notice of deep and shallow areas, currents, exit areas and obstructions.
  • Watch your children for signs of the dangerous “toos”- too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun and too much strenuous activity.

Use Your Head

Water safety starts with your head, not your arms and legs. You can prevent many accidents from occurring by observing common-sense precautions and making sure you’re prepared before you reach the water:

  • Read and obey all posted signs and rules.
  • Do not mix alcohol with swimming, diving or boating. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination, affects your swimming and diving skills, and reduces your body's ability to stay warm.
  • Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.
  • Pack a safety bag for a day at the beach or pool. Be sure to include waterproof sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, water shoes to keep feet safe from the heat and sharp objects on land and plenty of water for everyone to keep hydrated. All containers should be plastic to prevent injuries from breaking glass.
  • Learn CPR and first aid by enrolling in programs offered by the Dayton Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. For more information, call 937-222-9711

Keep Water Clean

Remember that water in pools is for swimming, not swallowing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that outbreaks of recreational water illnesses (RWIs) are on the rise, partly because of low public awareness of what they are and how they’re spread.

RWIs can cause ear, eye, respiratory, and neurological infections and can be transmitted by chlorine-resistant germs, especially at poorly maintained pools. For instance, the parasite responsible for the swell of diarrhea outbreaks associated with chlorinated pools is resistant to chlorine. The CDC indicates that germs such as E coli are also to blame for diarrhea outbreaks.

Proper disinfection of chlorinated pools will eliminate many germs that cause RWIs. The CDC recommends that swimmers follow these general rules to help prevent the spread of RWIs:

  • Don’t swim when you have diarrhea.
  • Don’t swallow pool water.
  • Take children for bathroom breaks and check diapers often.
  • Change diapers in a bathroom and not at poolside.
  • Wash your child thoroughly with soap and water before swimming.

This summer, be sure to follow these valuable tips to keep your family happy and safe. Don’t forget to share them with caregivers, including grandparents, older siblings and babysitters.

The Dayton Area Chapter of the American Red Cross provides disaster preparedness and response, and health and safety education to residents of Montgomery, Greene and Preble counties, as well as assistance to families with members in the military. The Chapter also operates Emergency Housing Programs in Montgomery and Greene counties. Led by volunteers, the Dayton Area Chapter responded to nearly 200 disaster incidents last year. To find out more about our aquatics safety, CPR and other training programs visit us online at www.dac.redcross.org or call 937-222-9711.

All local Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of area disasters by making a financial gift to the Dayton Area Chapter, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Contributions may be sent to the Dayton Area Chapter, P.O. Box 517, Dayton, Ohio. Internet users can make secure online credit card donations by visiting www.dac.redcross.org.