Warm beautiful weather is finally here. And, summer vacations are going to start very soon. A lot of them will include trips to theme parks and water parks, along with trips to your local pool or the pool at the family’s vacation resort.  Before your vacation in a water park or visit to a pool, there are a few things to keep in mind that will help keep everyone safe.

Drownings claim 4,000 lives every year and children under 4 have the highest death rate due to drowning.  There are several things we can do to be safer in and around water.

• Learn to swim and swim well.  Become confident with your abilities in the water. Swim in water levels in which you are familiar and comfortable.
• Never swim alone.  In any type of water setting, never swim alone… always be in pairs.  Adults/parents should always practice ‘reach supervision.’  ‘Reach supervision’ means that adults/parents are always within arms’ length of a child in the water to react quickly in an emergency.
• Wear the proper gear in the water.  Everyone especially kids should be fitted with the age and size appropriate water gear including arm floaties and life jackets.
• Pack a water safety bag.  Pack a water safety bag with enough water, hats & sunglasses (to protect you from the suns’ rays), waterproof sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher and water shoes (to protect your feet from the heat).
• Learn water safety, first aid and CPR.   Take certified water safety, first aid and CPR classes.  The Red Cross and the National Safety Council offer CPR classes with 2 year certifications.

It is crucial that more adults (18 and older) take CPR classes.  Experts all agree that after someone stops breathing, or the heart stops beating, a person can survive for only 4-6 minutes before a lack of oxygen results in brain damage.  When CPR is administered it can extend survival time by keeping oxygen circulating until medical personnel arrive.  So CPR is important even on vacation, you may just help save a life.

For more safety tips and information visit www.nsc.org (National Safety Council) and www.redcross.org.

Safe and happy travels.