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RED CROSS URGES WATER SAFETY WITH THE OPENING OF MANY LOCAL POOLS
Share the following tips with
your family and friends as the temperature heats up and pools open for
the summer
Gastonia, NC (June 1, 2007) –
Summer safety is more than remembering sun screen when going outside.
It’s about being informed and prepared when going in or near water,
especially at your local pool, lake or beach. Many local outdoor pools
are opening for the summer and safety is very important. The following
tips are important to note to reduce the chance of an unfortunate event:
Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around
the water is to learn to swim--this includes adults and children. The
YMCA has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To
enroll in a course to learn or improve your ability to swim, contact the
Gaston County YMCA.
-Never leave a child unobserved around water. Your eyes must be on the
child at all times. Adult supervision is recommended.
-Install a phone by the pool or keep a mobile phone nearby so that you
can call 9-1-1 in an emergency.
-Learn CPR and insist that babysitters, grandparents, and others who
care for your child know CPR.
-Post or ask your homeowners association or apartment complex to post
CPR instructions and 9-1-1 or your local emergency number in the pool
area.
-Keep toys away from the pool when it is not in use. Toys can attract
young children into the pool.
-For homeowner’s with pools: Enclose the pool completely with a
self-locking, self-closing fence with vertical bars. Openings in the
fence should be no more than four inches wide. The house should not be
included as a part of the barrier.
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The gate should be constructed so
that it is self-latching and self-closing.
-Never
leave furniture near the fence that would enable a child to climb over
the fence.
-Always
keep basic lifesaving equipment by the pool and know how to use it.
Pole, rope, and personal flotation devices (PFDs) are recommended.
-Pool covers should always be completely removed prior to pool use.
-If a child is missing, check the pool first. Go to the edge of the pool
and scan the entire pool, bottom, and surface, as well as the
surrounding pool area.
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