Tips for Safe Swimming

Summer will be here before you know it. Nothing says summer vacation like warm days spent at the pool or a quick weekend retreat to the beach. Whether you’re jumping waves in the ocean or splashing around in a pool, these tips from the Federal Citizen Information Center will help keep you and your family safe this summer:

? Teach your kids to swim. Check for swimming lessons in your area on USA.gov. Giving your kids the basic water skills they need will help keep them safe.

? Keep an eye on your kids. With lots of kids splashing around in public pools, it’s easy for someone to get dunked by accident. Know where your kids are so if you see them go under you can make sure they come right back up.

? Check your drains. If you have your own pool, make sure your drains meet safety standards. Drains that don’t could catch children’s hair or limbs and pull them with great force to the pool’s bottom.

? Don’t panic in a riptide. Before you or your kids go in the ocean, make sure you all know what to do if you get caught in a riptide. Try to swim parallel to the shore. Don’t fight your way directly back to the beach, but swim sideways until you are out of the current. Wave for a lifeguard to help get you back to shore safely.

? Play it safe in the lake. Lake water can be murky, making it hard to see what hides below the surface. Wear water shoes to protect your feet from sharp rocks or other debris. And don’t swim too far from shore. You may not realize how far you’ve gone until you try to stand and can’t find the bottom.

Playing in the water should be a fun family activity. With the proper safeguards, your family can stay safe while cooling off. For more ideas on water safety, visit The Federal Citizen Information Center’s website at pueblo.gsa.gov.

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