Summer – when school’s out and the sun is shining – is the prime time to get outdoors and have fun. It’s also the season when water accidents and heat-related illnesses skyrocket. With that in mind, we asked the American Red Cross for some tips on how you can play it safe and smart:
– Learn the strokes. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. Check with your local park district or YMCA to find out when lessons are offered.
– Never brave the waves by yourself. Always swim with a buddy.
– Only swim in supervised areas. Sometimes water conditions can get dangerous, and lifeguards will know when it’s safe to swim and when it’s not.
– Skip the “I bet I can swim out farther than you”contest to avoid overextending yourself. Be aware of your swimming abilities and don’t push yourself past your limit.
– Use your brain: You don’t always have to wait an hour after eating before taking the plunge. But if you’ve just eaten a monster meal, give yourself a little time to digest. And don’t eat or chew gum in the water – that’s just asking for trouble!
– Don’t ignore those caution signs. “No Diving”really means no diving. Diving headfirst into unknown waters can lead to serious injuries. It’s much safer to jump in feet first to test the depth.
– Stay out of wading pools. Recently, a small boy’s poop deposit in a wading pool at an Atlanta water park led to several children becoming sick. It seems chlorine levels in the pool weren’t high enough to kill the E. coli bacteria, a bacteria found in human waste. Because of that, the Red Cross is asking swimmers to steer clear of wading pools or check with lifeguards to make sure the chlorine level is high enough to kill bacteria.
– When temps are hot, drink lots of water. Don’t rely on your thirst as a guide. When exercising outdoors, sip a cup of water every 20 minutes or so.
– Keep in the shade whenever possible. Wear light-colored clothing and a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor of at least 15.
– Watch for signs of heat-related illness. If you become dizzy, nauseated, have dry skin, muscle cramps or the chills, stop whatever you’re doing and get help.
