Water Safety

With the summer in full swing, please take note of some very important information to ensure a fun and safe time.  Although water can be refreshing and fun, it is necessary to follow the below precautions.

Pool Rules

• Only swim when a lifeguard is on duty.

• Obey a lifeguard at all times.

• No running pushing or horseplay around the pool area.

• Dive only in designated areas.

• Children under age 5, should be supervised by an additional adult

• Children using a floatation device should remain within arm's reach

Beach Rules

• Swim only in designated areas - away from piers and docks

• Watch your children at all times even in shallow water, the current can change at any given moment.

• Don't let children use inflatable toys which can suddenly shift from under him

• Ask the lifeguard what potential hazards you should look out for

In Case of Emergency

• If your child is running, falls and cuts his chin open

  Ascertain the level of injury. If the child is unconscious, have someone call 911. If conscious, apply pressure to  stop the bleeding with gauze pads. Once the bleeding has stopped, clean the wound in order to ascertain the severity of the cut. Consult a doctor or an emergency medical facility. 

   

• If your child is drowning in an ocean or lake

  Have someone call 911. Resist the urge to jump in the water, the current may put your life at danger as well. If your child is within reach, extend a long branch or anything else one may grab onto and pull them to safety. If not, throw her a floatation device such as a life jacket or rescue tube and try to tow the child to safety. If all else fails and you must go into the water, you should go using a floatation device.  Safely and efficiently remove the child from the water. If the child is not breathing, begin rescue breathing until help arrives.

   

• If your child is stung by a jellyfish

  Remove your child  from the water and make sure the affected area is as still as possible. Thoroughly rinse the affected region with vinegar (preferably) or seawater. Next, carefully and completely remove the jellyfish's tentacles with protective gloves, or tweezers while avoiding direct contact with the jellyfish. The skin needs to be liberally covered with vinegar or a paste of baking soda  for at least 30 minutes or until symptoms improve. This helps inactivate any remaining venom.

  Contact a medical provider right away if any of the following is noticed: the sting is anywhere on the face, sting covers a large part of the body, symptoms remain the same or worsen, nausea, weakness, headaches, difficulty breathing, chest pain,  low blood pressure, or severe allergic reaction