MAY IS WATER SAFETY MONTH

MAY 2015 BLOG – MAY IS WATER SAFETY MONTH

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The sun is shinning, the flowers are blooming and the sounds of children splashing in the pool have returned! I know I count down the days until I can throw my favorite swim suit on, grab my beach towel, and slip on my flip-flops…destination – poolside! Many of our favorite and most memorable summer pastimes are spent at the beach lakes, rivers and swimming pools. For most Americans, May is the first month we can finally hang up that winter coat and catch some rays, which makes sense as to why May is National Water Safety month. But don’t run to the nearest body of water without following these simple steps first!

EASY POOLS – WATER SAFETY RULES

  1. Never swim alone!
  2. If you don’t know how to swim, only swim with an adult who does.
  3. If possible only swim when a lifeguard is present.
  4. Wear a lifejacket or other life saving device approved by the United States Coast Guard.
  5. Only swim in places meant for swimming: pools, lakes, beaches. Avoid dams, swamps, and rapids. Never dive into water where you can’t see the bottom.
  6. If you see someone drowning, find a lifeguard or an adult who knows how to swim. Do not save anyone on your own, unless there is a flotation device near by that you can throw to the victim.
  7. Never pretend to drown.
  8. Never eat food or chew gum while swimming.
  9. Never push your friends in the water!
  10. Learn to swim!!

Many national organizations take water safety month very seriously and proactively promote the program on both a local and national level. The Association of Pool and Spa Professionals and its partners, the American Red Cross, the World Waterpark Association, and the National Recreation & Park Association will be building national awareness of this safety campaign with educational programs, public service announcements, governmental proclamations, dealer and business promotions, and the distribution of water-safety-themed materials to the public and participating organizations. You can learn more by visiting http://www.nationalwatersafetymonth.org/Consumers/SafetyTips.aspx