Red Cross Offers Swimming Safety Tips

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire County chapter of the American Red Cross is offering some safe swimming tips in light of some recent water-related tragedies.

Over the past two days, the Rerd Cross provided canteen support to first responders as they worked to recover a missing swimmer in the Housatonic River. Big Y supermarket also donated lunch for the emergency workers, served by Red Cross volunteers who remained on scene as needed.

To keep safe in the water:

• Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
• Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone.
• Never leave a young child unattended near water and do not trust a child's life to another child; teach children to always ask permission to go near water.
• Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.
• Maintain constant supervision.
• Make sure everyone in your family learns to swim well. Enroll in age-appropriate Red Cross water orientation and learn-to-swim courses.
• If you have a pool, secure it with appropriate barriers. Many children who drown in home pools were out of sight for less than five minutes and in the care of one or both parents at the time.
• Avoid distractions when supervising children around water.
• If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.
• Have appropriate equipment, such as reaching or throwing equipment, a cell phone, life jackets and a first aid kit.
• Know how and when to call 911 or the local emergency number.
• Enroll in Red Cross home pool safety, water safety, first aid and CPR/AED courses to learn how to prevent and respond to emergencies.

Don't forget to protect your skin. Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive between 10 and 4 and wear sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15. Also, in hot weather, drink plenty of water regularly, even if you're not thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them.

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