Even More Water Safety! Can You Handle It?

Did you know that half of the people in the last Red Cross survey had a near-drowning experience? And nearly 1 in 3 of those people had that experience between ages 5 and 15!

All the more reason to listen to Audrey and Abby’s story!

For more information on water safety courses at your local Red Cross, give us a call at (616) 456-8661 or visit www.greatergrandrapids.redcross.org.

Pool Safety Tips for the Best Memorial Day Weekend Ever!

As Memorial Day weekend draws near, people are dragging out their grills and lawn furniture, dusting off that croquet set, and opening up their pools after a long winter. The American Red Cross of Greater Grand Rapids wants to help make your weekend festivities as fun as they can be by supplying you with water safety tips! This weekend marks the unofficial start of pool and beach season here in West Michigan, and these tips can start you off with a bang!

Children under age 5 and young adults from 15 to 24 have the highest rates of drowning. Most young children who drown do so in home pools, but there are many other kinds of water environments. These tips focus on three areas: general water safety, supervising children near the water, and safeguarding home swimming pools.

General Water Safety:

• Always swim with a buddy and never alone.
• Read and obey all rules and posted signs.
• Swim in areas that are supervised by a lifeguard.
• Children or inexperienced swimmers should take extra precautions and wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket.
• Set water safety rules for your family based on swimming abilities.
• Be knowledgeable of your water environment and its potential hazards.
• Know how to prevent, recognize and respond to emergencies by seeking proper training.
• Use a feet-first entry when entering the water.
• Do not mix alcohol with swimming, diving or boating.

When Supervising Children:

• Maintain constant supervision.
• Stay within arm’s reach of an inexperienced swimmer and remain watchful.
• Do not rely on substitutes such as flotation devices and inflatable toys; they cannot replace supervision.
• Prevent access to certain water features such as small ponds and waterfalls.
• Empty kiddie pools immediately after use.
• Enroll a child in a Red Cross learn-to-swim course.

Safeguard Home Swimming Pools:

• Construct a fence that includes a self-closing, self-latching gate and completely encloses the area with vertical bars.
• Post the rules for your pool and enforce them without exception.
• Post depth markers and “No Diving” signs as appropriate.
• Keep toys away from the pool and out of sight when the pool is not in use.
• Pool covers should be completely removed prior to use and completely secured when in place.
• Post emergency numbers and have a cell phone readily available when poolside.
• Ensure basic lifesaving devices such as a reaching pole, rope and flotation devices are easily accessible.
• Learn Red Cross CPR and First Aid and post CPR and first aid instructions.
• Maintain clean and clear pool water.
• Store pool chemicals in childproof containers and out of the reach of children.

Education through training is essential to preparedness. Last year, as part of the Red Cross mission to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and emergencies, the Greater Grand Rapids Chapter trained more than 4500 individuals in learn-to-swim, lifeguard certification curriculum and other water safety programs.

For more information about water safety or aquatics training provided by the American Red Cross, please call the Greater Grand Rapids Chapter at (616) 456-8661 or go to the Chapter’s website at www.greatergrandrapids.redcross.org.

Try These Summer Safety Tips from Your Red Cross!

Going Hiking or Camping?

• Stay properly hydrated and pack 2 liters of water per person per day.
• Try not to carry more than one-third of your body weight.
• Eat a high carbohydrate diet — carbs are where 70% of your energy from calories comes from.
• Try to hike or camp with at least one companion, in case an emergency would arise and someone has to get help.
• Leave a copy of your itinerary with a responsible person, including details such as the make, year and license plate of your car, the equipment you’re bringing, the weather you anticipate and when you plan to return.

Hot Weather?

• Wear light-colored and lightweight clothing
• Drink plenty of water, even if you’re not thirsty, and avoid caffeine and alcohol.
• Eat frequent small meals and avoid high-protein foods.
• Young children and the elderly are most susceptible to high temperatures — keep an eye out for signs of heat-related illness, such as nausea, dizziness, flushed or pale skin, heavy sweating and headaches.
• Avoid direct exposure during peak sun hours, between 10 am and 4 pm and always wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.

Taking a Vacation?

• Learn more about where you are visiting — this can help you avoid storm season, severe heat and other regional challenges that might limit fun.
• Pay attention to local media for weather warnings and what actions might be necessary in the place you’re visiting.
• Know the county your destination is in — this helps when the National Weather Service issues alerts.
• Pack a first aid kit.
• Check for fire exits wherever you stay or visit.

Going for a Swim or Heading to the Beach?

• Always swim with a buddy; never swim alone.
• Read and obey all posted signs and notices.
• Children or inexperienced swimmers should take precautions, such as wearing an approved flotation device when around water, even if they are not actually swimming.
• Watch out for dangerous “too”s — too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.
• Set water safety rules for the whole family based on swimming abilities.
• Be knowledgable about the water environment you’re in and its potential hazards.
• Stop swimming at the first sign of bad weather.
• Use a feet-first entry when entering the water — only enter headfirst when the area is clearly marked for diving.
• Do not mix alcohol with swimming, diving or boating. It impairs your judgment, balance and coordination, as well as affects your swimming and diving skills and your body’s ability to stay warm.

We here at your local Red Cross hope you’ll use these safety tips
and have a SAFE and FUN summer!