Red Cross offers water safety tips for a safe summer 

Whether you are building confidence, making good choices or learning to swim, here are steps you should take to stay safe

Miami, FL, June 19, 2023 — As we all head outside to enjoy the sunshine and warm weather this summer, the American Red Cross, South Florida Region has steps you can follow to help stay safe.

“Here in South Florida many of us enjoy spending time outdoors with loved ones as we build confidence, make good choices or learn to swim,” said Tiffany Gonzalez, Regional Communications Director. “The Red Cross wants you to avoid any danger no matter what your plans include and offers steps you can follow to have a safe summer.” Visit redcross.org/summersafety for more information.

WATER SAFETY Drowning can happen quickly and silently. Unless rescued, it could take as little as 20 to 60 seconds for a drowning person to submerge.

  • Learn to be safe, make good choices, learn to swim and know how to handle emergencies.
  • Provide constant, active adult supervision and know how to swim.
  • Swim in an area with lifeguards. Designate a “water watcher” to keep a close eye and constant attention on everyone in and around the water until the next water watcher takes over.
  • Wear your life jacket. 
  • Reach or throw, don’t go! In the event of an emergency, reach or throw an object to the person in trouble. Don’t go in! You could become a victim yourself. 
  • Swimming classes are available for both children and adults. Visit redcross.org/water safety for a map of Learn-to-Swim providers in your community. 
  • Download the Red Cross Swim app for safety tips, kid-friendly videos and activities, and take the free Water Safety for Parents and Caregivers online course in English or Spanish.

Download the FREE Red Cross First Aid app so you’ll know what to do if emergency help is delayed and the FREE Emergency app for weather alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and safety steps for different emergencies. Choose whether you want to view the content in English or Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. Find these and all of the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

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