Welcome to the first full day of summer -- a season when many head to pools and lakes for fun.
It's also a season to practice good water safety.
"Being able to handle yourself in an aquatic situation is critical for survival," said Dianne Lariscy, the director of health and safety services for Red Cross of Augusta. "Water safety is critical for everyone."
Drowning is a danger for any person in or around water. The best water safety precaution for any child or adult is to know how to swim. This includes participation in any boating and personal water craft activities.
Another important water safety precaution is never to mix alcohol with swimming or boating. According to redcross.org, more than 50 percent of adolescent and adult drownings result from boating incidents that involve alcohol.
For anyone who does not already know how to swim, swimming lessons are offered for people of all ages at various facilities.
-- Jonathan Overstreet, staff writer
HOME POOL SAFETY TIPS
- Make sure everyone who uses your pool knows how to swim.
- Never swim alone. Never leave a child unsupervised around water. An adult who can swim and knows CPR is recommended for child supervision.
- Install a phone near the pool or keep a cordless or cell phone nearby so you can easily call 911 if an emergency arises.
- Keep CPR instructions and emergency contact numbers posted around the pool area.
- Completely enclose the pool with a self-locking, self-closing fence with vertical bars.
- Keep toys away from the pool when it is not being used. Toys can attract children into the pool.
- Pool covers should always be completely removed before pool use.
LAKE SAFETY TIPS
- Always swim in a supervised area. Try to choose an area with a trained lifeguard.
- Swim in areas that are clean and well maintained.
- Swim in areas with good water quality and safe natural conditions. Avoid areas with murky water, hidden underwater objects, water pollution, aquatic plant life and unexpected drop-offs. Do not swim around drainage ditches and arroyos for water run-off.
- When boating, make sure everyone wears Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
- Do not swim or operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol.
- Stop swimming or boating as soon as you can hear or see a storm.
Source: redcross.org
SWIMMING LESSONS
SOUTH CAROLINA
Aiken County Family Y
690 Medical Park Drive, Aiken
Upcoming swimming lessons: Sessions start June 23 and July 7.
Cost: $50 YMCA members, $70 nonmembers, classes for 6 months and older.
To register, visit the Aiken County Family YMCA or www.thefamilyy.org.
For more information, call (803) 293-4200.
Aiken County Recreation Center
917 Jefferson Davis Highway, Graniteville
Upcoming swimming lessons: Sessions start June 23, July 7 and July 21.
$50 per person, discounts for multiple children, all ages welcome.
Call (803) 663-6142 to register.
GEORGIA
Augusta Aquatics Center
3157 Damascus Road
Upcoming swimming lessons: Sessions start July 7 and July 21. Limited spaces available. Lessons offered year-round.
Cost: $40 Richmond County residents, $45 nonresidents, classes for 6 months and older.
For more information, call (706) 261-0424.
Henry H. Brigham Swim Center
2463 Golden Camp Road, Augusta
Upcoming swimming lessons: Sessions start July 7 and July 21. Limited spaces available. Lessons offered year-round.
To register, visit the Henry H. Brigham Swim Center.
For more information, call (706) 772-5453.
Fleming Pool at Bernie Ward Community Center
1941 Lumpkin Road, Augusta
Upcoming swimming lessons: Sessions starting July 7 and July 21.
Cost: $40 Richmond County residents, $45 nonresidents.
To register, visit the Bernie Ward Community Center.
For more information, call (706) 790-0588.
Wilson Branch Family Y
3570 Wheeler Road, Augusta
Upcoming swimming lessons: Sessions start June 23, July 7 and July 21.
Cost: $50 YMCA members, $70 nonmembers, classes for 6 months and older.
To register, visit the Wilson Family Y or www.thefamilyy.org.
For more information, call (706) 922-9622.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
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