May 15th is International Water Safety Day and the American Red Cross wants to ensure that every member of your family is ‘water smart.’
Learn the basics for keeping yourself, your family and your friends safe in and around the water every day. It all begins with learning safety and swimming skills.
Swim as a pair near a lifeguard’s chair. Buddy up. Never swim alone. Only swim in places that are protected by lifeguards – or, if at a home pool, only swim when an adult is actively supervising the water.
Look before you leap. Check the water and weather conditions to be sure that it’s a safe place and time to swim. Always enter the water feet first unless the area is intended for diving.
Follow the rules. They exist to keep you safe. Always listen to the lifeguards.
Don’t just pack it, wear your jacket. Everyone should wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket when on a boat. Anyone who needs a bit more support should wear one when going into the water.
Think so you don’t sink. Know what to do if you get into trouble in the water. The more skills you have, the better you’ll be able to deal with unexpected situations.
Reach or throw, don’t go. Use reaching or throwing equipment to help a struggling person get to safety. Only trained lifeguards should enter the water to help someone in trouble, and even then, the lifeguard is going to use rescue equipment.
Knowing how to swim, making smart choices around the water and knowing what to do if something goes wrong can make the difference between life and death.
TAKE THE PLEDGE Post a photo of you taking the Pool Safely Pledge and share it on your social networks. Use the following hashtags #PledgeItOn and #IWSD. Challenge your family members and friends to do it too.
TAKE A CLASS Go to redcross.org/watersafety to learn more and to register for swim classes, water safety and CPR training.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
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Take a class and be ready to respond if an emergency strikes.
