Most people can agree, playing in the water can be a lot of fun!  Please read over some important safety tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe when enjoying water play and sports.  

1.  Learn how to Swim-this is important for adults, and any children you may have.  There are both public and private swimming classes.  You can contact your local YMCA or American Red Cross.
2. Learn CPR and get re-certified every 2 years.  Learning proper CPR can help safe someone in a drowning event.
3.  Children, even when they know how to swim-are not drown proof.  A child should always have adult supervision without distraction.  
4. When choosing a swim school/swim camp for a child, it is important to ask about lifeguard certifications, how often are the lifeguards trained, can they perform CPR properly, is there an emergency phone on the pool deck, etc.  
5. In open water while boating, rafting, kayaking or canoeing, always wear a proper fitting life jacket.  All life jackets should have a label “Coast Guard Approved”.  Child’s water wings are not meant as a safety flotation device.  Children should be put in proper life jackets.
6. For Pool Birthday parties in private homes-consider hiring a lifeguard for added supervision.
7. When swimming at a beach, always be aware and alert for rip currents.  Rip currents cannot always be detected.  If choosing to swim at a beach, always choose one that has lifeguards present.
8. Never dive head first in shallow water
9. Avoid alcohol when swimming and boating.  In approximately 50% of drowning, alcohol is involved. 
10. Do not swim or use hot tubs alone.  
11. Do not leave children unattended in a bath tub.  Almost 80% of toddler drownings occur in bath tubs.