Have fun in the water...safely!

Summer's are made for BBQs, vacations and pool parties. Make sure that you and your loved ones stay safe around the water by checking out these water safety tips from the Center of Disease Control (CDC). For more information, visit the CDC website.

· SUPERVISION. Designate a responsible adult to watch young children while in the bath and all children swimming or playing in or around water. Supervisors of preschool children should provide “touch supervision”, be close enough to reach the child at all times. Adults should not be involved in any other distracting activity (such as reading, playing cards, talking on the phone, or mowing the lawn) while supervising children.

· BUDDY SYSTEM. Always swim with a buddy. Select swimming sites that have lifeguards whenever possible.

· AVOID ALCOHOL. Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, boating, or water skiing. Do not drink alcohol while supervising children.

· LEARN TO SWIM. Formal swimming lessons can protect young children from drowning. . However, constant, careful supervision and barriers such as pool fencing are necessary even when children have completed swimming classes.

· LEARN CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR). In the time it might take for paramedics to arrive, your CPR skills could make a difference in someone’s life. CPR performed by bystanders has been shown to improve outcomes in drowning victims.

· DO NOT USE AIR-FILLED OR FOAM TOYS. Do not use air-filled or foam toys, such as “water wings”, “noodles”, or inner-tubes, in place of life jackets (personal flotation devices). These toys are not designed to keep swimmers safe.