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American Red Cross Lifesaving Water Safety Advice: Have Fun This Summer Without Taking a Vacation From Safety
WASHINGTON, May 27, 2005
Summer time is a wonderful time of year; children and parents look forward to outdoor activities at the pool, lake and beach. Yet accidents can happen if families take a vacation from safety. The good news is that most water tragedies can be prevented, if everyone remembers the basic rules of water safety.

The American Red Cross reminds families to follow these safety tips for staying healthy and safe in or around the water:

* Learn to swim and swim well. One of the best things anyone can do to
stay safe in and around the water is learn to swim. No one, including
adults, should ever swim alone. Adults should practice "reach
supervision" which means to be within arm's length of a child in case
an emergency occurs.

* Outfit everyone with the proper gear. Kids -- and even adults -- who
are not strong swimmers or who appear to rely on inflatable toys for
safety should use U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices
(PFDs) whenever they are in or around the water. This lifesaving
lightweight plastic equipment when used properly can help save lives.
Everyone, including strong swimmers, should use an approved PFD when
boating. Each person should have the appropriate personal flotation
device for his or her weight and size, which is found clearly marked
inside the label near the Coast Guard stamp.

A great idea is to make a family day out of learning the rules of
water safety and shopping for durable safety equipment together at a
local pool supply store or mass distributor.

* Always keep basic lifesaving equipment by the residential pool and
know how to use it. A first aid kit, cordless phone, phone list with
emergency contact information, a reaching pole and a ring buoy with a
nylon line attached are recommended. First aid kits should contain
plastic face shields, which can help prevent disease transmission.
Cordless phones allow you to make that 911 call and to receive calls
without leaving the area. Plastic makes the ring buoy so light even a
child can save a life if the need arises. These items coupled with a
pool emergency action plan -- similar to a fire drill -- help the
whole family breathe a little easier. In addition, the Red Cross
recommends that pools be surrounded on all sides by a fence that is at
least 4 feet high. It should not provide any footholds, which would
allow a child to climb over or spacing to climb through. The fence
should have a self-closing, self-locking gate that is locked when the
pool is not in use.

* Pack a "safety" bag for a day at the beach or lake. The properly
packed safety bag will help ensure a fun day in which everyone comes
home safe and sound. Water-proof sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher,
water shoes to keep feet safe from the heat and sharp objects on land
and plenty of water are musts. All containers should be plastic to
prevent injuries from breaking glass. Also, a hat and sunglasses keep
eyes safe from dangerous UV rays.

* Learn Red Cross first aid and CPR. While the above tips can help
prevent emergencies, it is important to know what to do if a situation
arises. And all caregivers, including grandparents, older siblings
and babysitters should have these lifesaving skills.

For more information on staying safe in and around the water visit http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/aquatics/ or contact your local American Red Cross chapter.

The American Red Cross is where people mobilize to help their neighbors -- across the street, across the country and across the world -- in emergencies. Each year, in communities large and small, victims of some 70,000 disasters turn to neighbors familiar and new -- the nearly 1 million volunteers and 35,000 employees of the Red Cross. Through almost 900 locally supported chapters, more than 15 million people gain the skills they need to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their homes, communities and world. Some 4 million people give blood -- the gift of life -- through the Red Cross, making it the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The Red Cross helps thousands of U.S. service members separated from their families by military duty stay connected. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, a global network of 181 national societies, the Red Cross helps restore hope and dignity to the world's most vulnerable people. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work. Marsha J. Evans is the President and CEO of the American Red Cross.

Source: American Red Cross

CONTACT: Stacey Grissom of American Red Cross, +1-202-303-4462, cell:
+1-202-439-0705, grissoms@usa.redcross.org

Web site: http://www.redcross.org/



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