Many people try to beat the heat of summer by heading to the water. Fortunately, for those of us living in Florida, we have plenty of opportunities to do this exact thing. With 8,436 miles, Florida has the second most miles of shoreline behind Alaska. The state also boasts of having the third highest number of lakes, with 30,000 covering over three million acres of land. I’m not sure if it’s even possible to calculate the number of swimming pools in our state, but everyone can agree that there are plenty available. Since we are literally “surrounded” by water, it makes sense for visitors and residents to learn how to be safe on and around the water. Everyone should take a moment to review the following tips and stay SAFE when enjoying our natural resource – WATER.
- Learn to swim!
- Use the buddy system.
- Watch children when in or around water, without any distractions.
- Install fences and utilize pool alarms for home swimming pools.
- Chin height water depth or more poses serious risk to non-swimmers.
- Swim in designated areas and under the supervision of a lifeguard when available.
- Learn rip current safety – currents and waves in rivers, oceans and lakes pose risks for all swimmers.
- Pay attention to posted signs and be alert to area wildlife such as snakes, sharks, alligators, and jellyfish.
- Underwater hazards such as rocks, trash, trees, and weeds can threaten safety.
- Polluted and contaminated water poses health risks. Avoid algae, scum, and foam.
- Boaters should wear U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets.
- Know your limits. Are you too tired, too cold, too far from safety?
- Check the water temperature before entering and limit the time in cold water.
- Avoid diving headfirst into all bodies of water.
- Don’t use alcohol or drugs before or while swimming, diving, or boating.
- Know what to do in a water emergency. Learn CPR and first aid.
- Apply sunscreen with SPF of 30+ before and during your day while enjoying the water.
- Keep an eye on the weather and seek shelter when necessary.
