Sun and Water Safety

Summer is here and with it comes pool parties, barbeques, trips to the beach, gardening and other outdoor activities. I just returned from a week of swimming, biking and running in beautiful Lake Placid NY. I finished my week with an 8 hour drive back to Maryland to race on Assateague Island. Now, I drove the entire way from NY to MD with the top off my Jeep. Fun right? Well, had I not remembered my face stick with SPF 35, it could have made for a miserable evening. To unwind from the drive, I decided to take a little R&R next to the hotel pool. As I sat at the unguarded hotel pool, I was a nervous wreck (once a Guard always a Guard). While the sun and water feel wonderful after cold winter weather, I want to remind you to be safe. Here are some tips that can help you and your family be safe in the sun and water.

Did you know...

• Exposure to the sun during childhood and adolescence plays a role in developing skin cancer in the future.


• Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death among children ages 1-9.
  

Save Your Skin

1. Minimize sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun's rays are the strongest.


2. Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Apply 15-30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply after swimming or every two hours.


3. Wear protective, tightly woven clothing, a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses.


4. Seek shade when outdoors.


5. Make sure children six months and older are protected with sunscreen, hats and protective clothing. Infants should stay in the shade.


6. Check your skin regularly for signs of skin cancer, including changes in size, shape, color or feel of birthmarks, moles and spots. If you see changes, consult your doctor.

Water Safety

In and Around Pools:

1. Empty and turn over wading pools immediately after use.


2. Enclose your pool or spa with fencing at least five feet high with self-closing and self-latching gates.


3. Learn CPR and keep rescue equipment, a telephone and emergency numbers beside your pool.


4. Teach your children to swim, but never rely solely on swimming lessons to protect them from drowning.


5. Teach your children never to run, push or jump on others around water.

In Open Water:

1. Never allow young children to swim alone. Make sure older children always swim with a buddy or adult.


2. Be sure your child wears a life jacket when on a boat or near water and that it fits correctly.


3. Make sure children swim in designated areas in open water. Look for clear water with little or no current and check the depth of the water before swimming.


4. Alcohol use while around the pool or open water impairs your judgment and may slow your reaction time, creating a safety hazard for you and your family.

Rock On!!!

T

Posted by Troy Weaver, Senior Vice President, Y Family Centers and Member Experience, Y of Central Maryland