NEW CITY, NY, – Summer is here, and with it comes plenty of fun times spent in the water. Unfortunately, whether it’s in your backyard or the local community pool, a lake, or the beach, the danger of drowning is present wherever families spend time in the water.
Drowning can happen to anyone in seconds, any time there is access to water. The Rockland County Department of Health recommends you follow these important tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help prevent drowning deaths, injuries, and the often life-long disabilities from near-drowning:
- Learn basic swimming and water safety skills: Everyone should know the basics of swimming. For swim and water safety lessons, you can contact your town’s recreation department, swim schools, the American Red Cross, or places like the Rockland County YMCA, JCC Rockland, or Rockland Community College. Make sure that your children learn how to swim, but don’t consider them “drown-proof” because they’ve had swimming lessons. There is no replacement for adult supervision.
- Learn CPR: Your CPR skills could save someone’s life in the time it takes for paramedics to arrive. For information on learning CPR call the County Emergency Medical Services at (845) 364-8923.
- Build fences that fully enclose pools. Visit https://dos.ny.gov/pool-safety-information for important information about New York State pool safety requirements. Check also with your town and village.
- Remove all toys from the pool area that might attract children to the pool when the pool is not in use.
- Wear a life jacket: Children should wear life jackets for all activities in and around natural water, even if they know how to swim. Life jackets can also be used by weaker swimmers of all ages in and around natural water and swimming pools. They can also reduce the risk of drowning while boating for people of all ages and swimming abilities. Do not rely on air-filled or foam toys; these are not safety devices.
- Supervise closely: Be on the lookout when kids are in or near water (including bathtubs). Designate a responsible adult to supervise closely and constantly when children are in or near water. Adults watching kids in or near water should avoid distracting activities like playing cards, reading books, talking on the phone, and using alcohol and/or recreational drugs. After swim time is over, shut and lock doors that give access to water. Be proactive and learn about any risks when visiting another home or unfamiliar location. Adults should supervise children closely, even when lifeguards are present.
- Use the buddy system: Always swim with a buddy and choose swimming sites that have lifeguards when possible.
Also, if you have a backyard pool, remember to have a cell phone, emergency numbers, a first-aid kit, rescue equipment, and CPR instructions by the pool. For additional important water safety tips from the CDC, visit www.cdc.gov/drowning/prevention/index.html.