Water Safety This Summer

Summer has finally arrived!  Warm weather and sunshine are synonymous with long afternoons spent by the pool.  Whether you frequent a community pool or just have to walk out the door to your backyard, there are a few tips you should keep in mind in order to keep everyone safe and able to enjoy a break from the heat.

• Never leave children unattended near the water and if needed, designate one adult who is in charge of monitoring swimmers.
• Learn how to swim and teach your children how to swim. Our local YMCA may be able to assist you in enrolling you or your child in lessons.  You can visit our East Greenbush YMCA’s website for more information.
• Practice basic water safety including walking when in the pool area, never diving into shallow water head- first, making sure long hair is secured, never swimming near drains or intake valves and never swimming whenever thunder and lightning are present.
• Learn CPR for children as well as adults. For more information on enrolling in a course near you, visit redcross.org.
• Many pool-goers like to use water wings or pool noodles to aid in floatation. These items are toys and not meant to be used as personal flotation devices.  NEVER rely on these toys to keep yourself or your child safe.  If you or your child cannot swim, make sure that you have a properly sized personal flotation device before entering the water.  Your local sporting equipment store should have personnel on staff who can assist you in the proper sizing for PFDs.
• If you are lucky enough to own your own pool, ensure that there is fence surrounding the pool with self-closing door latches and alarms connected to them. This will prevent both children and adults from entering the area without supervision.  Many towns and municipalities have strict rules which pool owners must follow in order to be in compliance with code.  Make sure to check with local officials or code enforcement officer to ensure that your pool area is not only compliant, but safe and secure for your family, friends and neighbors.

Following the above simple safety tips can help you to enjoy your summer while keeping yourself, your family, friends and neighbors safe.