May 2022: Water Safety
May Is Water Safety Month
Living in Florida, we all know there are two seasons: hot and not-so-hot! More importantly, as the temperature rises so does activity in and around the water. The Winter Springs Police Department would like to remind everyone that even though we look forward to a summer around the pool or at the beach, there are some inherent dangers that come with our attempts to stay cool. Keep these rules in mind to keep your summer safe and refreshing. Distractions Make for Tragedies.
NEVER LEAVE A CHILD UNATTENDED AROUND ANY BODY OF WATER
- Teach your children basic water safety skills.
- Learn how to swim and ensure your children know how to swim as well.
- Make sure the body of water matches your skill level; swimming in a pool is much different from swimming in a lake or river, where more strength is needed to handle currents.
- If you are caught in a current, don't try to fight it; stay calm and float with it, or swim parallel to the shore until you can swim free.
- Don't dive in unfamiliar areas.
- Have a phone close by when visiting a pool, spa, or the beach.
Pool Safety
- Install a 4-foot fence around the perimeter of the pool or spa, including portable pools. Building codes require adequate pool safety measures.
- If your house wall serves as the fourth side of a fence around a pool, install and use a door or pool alarm.
- Maintain all pool and spa covers in good working order.
- Ensure any pool or spa you use has a compliant drain covers; ask for clarification if you do not know.
- Never swim alone.
- Have lifesaving equipment such as life rings, floats, or a reaching pole available and easily accessible.
- Share safety instructions with family, friends, babysitters and neighbors
- Learn CPR and rescue techniques.
- Don't push or jump on others.
- Don't dive in unfamiliar areas.
- Never drink alcohol when swimming; alcohol is involved in about half of all male teen drownings, according to KidsHealth.org.
For more information go to https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/drowning.
Pediatric Heatstroke:
Pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths occur when a caregiver forgets a child in a vehicle, the child gains access to a vehicle or someone knowingly leaves a child in a vehicle.
As temperatures across the country continue to climb this summer and states begin to reopen, the National Safety Council is calling on Americans to educate themselves about the dangers of pediatric vehicular heatstroke and how to prevent it.
Often when caregivers forget a child, they are outside of their regular routine, under stress or have experienced a lack of sleep, which is not uncommon for new parents. In addition, during the COVID-19 pandemic, more vehicles have been sitting idle, and already this year three children have died after gaining access to unlocked vehicles.
- Keep car doors locked so children cannot gain access.
- Teach children not to play in cars, as they can be dangerous.
- Create a habit of always checking the backseat before leaving your car.
- Place your purse, briefcase or cell phone in the backseat, forcing you to look before you lock your car and walk away.
- Never leave a child in a vehicle when running errands, not even for a minute. Rolling down a window does little to keep a vehicle cool, and heatstroke deaths have occurred even in vehicles parked in shaded areas. There is no safe time period for leaving a child in a vehicle.
Bystanders can also play an important role in saving a life. If you see a child alone in a vehicle, call 911 and get help immediately.
For more information go to https://www.nsc.org/newsroom/nsc-statement-on-preventing-pediatric-vehicular-he.
Always remember, if you see something unusual, do not hesitate to notify the Police. “IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!” If you feel uncomfortable about calling the police department, you can report suspicious activity anonymously. In addition, you can call 1-800-423-TIPS or report at www.crimeline.org. You do not have to give your name.
May is National Bike Month, promoted by the League of American Bicyclists and celebrated in communities from coast to coast. Established in 1956, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling — and encourage more folks to give biking a try. There are so many ways to celebrate Bike Month and to #BikeThere: during Bike to Work Week (and Day!), biking to coffee or around the block, and riding on May 1 for #BikeDay.
Here are some safety tips to remember when celebrating National Bike Month:
- Get acquainted with traffic laws; bicyclists must follow the same rules as motorists
- Ride single-file in the direction of traffic when riding in groups
- Remain alert, keep your head up and look around; watch for opening car doors and other hazards
- Use hand signals when turning and use extra care at intersections
- Never hitch onto cars
- Before entering traffic, stop and look left, right, left again and over your shoulder
- And most importantly, HAVE FUN!
