Water safety and cell phones don’t mix.
As local residents cool off at the beach and pools this summer, Westchester County Commissioner of Health, Sherlita Amler, M.D., says, “Designate a water watcher to supervise children in the pool, spa or at the shore. This person should not be reading, texting, using a smart phone, or otherwise distracted.”
Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino also implores parents to stay aware. “Westchester County pools will be staffed with trained and conscientious lifeguards, but parents and guardians are our first line of defense,” Astorino says. “Please, always keep your eyes on your children when they are in or near the water and make sure they never swim alone and swim only when and where lifeguards are on duty.”
Amler also offers the following tips to stay safe around pools and beaches this summer:
- Learn how to swim, teach your child to swim and to never swim alone.
- Don’t swim in pools or lakes that are closed.
- Never leave a child unattended in or near the water and always watch your children closely around all bodies of water. Pool floats, inner tubes, water wings and noodles are no substitute for close supervision.
- Learn how to perform CPR on children and adults.
- Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments.
- Ensure any pool and spa you use has drain covers that comply with federal safety standards, and, if you do not know, ask your pool service provider about safe drain covers.
- At the beach, never fight currents; swim parallel to shore and at an angle if you find yourself in a rip current.
