As summer gets rolling now for our learners and their families, water safety is on my mind.  Here are some tips from the American Red Cross:

1. Learn to swim.  There are multiple courses offered by organizations and certified individuals in our area.
2. Always swim with a buddy and never alone.
3. Swim in areas supervised by adult swimmers (lifeguards at public pools, lakes, and beach swimming areas).
4. Read and obey all the posted rules and signs, especially at the beach.
5. Watch out for the dangerous “too’s” — too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.
6. Set water safety rules for the whole family based on swimming abilities.
7. Be knowledgeable about the water environment you are in and the potential hazards (shallow or deep, riptides, etc.).
8. Pay attention to local weather forecasts and conditions (summer storms and lightening in particular).
9. Only dive when the area is clearly marked for it.
10. Know how to prevent, recognize, and respond to water emergencies.  Being proactive versus reactive goes a long way to ensuring everyone’s water safety and a fun time!

We want our LME family and learning community to have a safe summer filled with all those activities (water in particular) that bring JOY.  It’s time to splash into some safe water fun today!  🙂