Greetings!
It is a beautiful April morning and thoughts are turning to
outdoor activities like picnics, gardens, and all that water to play in as we
enter warmer months.
Since our beautiful area includes
lakes, rivers, and streams, we need to pay attention to safe actions when
engaging in water activities. Follow
these guidelines for fun in the water:
·
Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
·
Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim
alone. Even at a public pool or a lifeguarded beach, use the buddy system!
·
Ensure that everyone in the family learns to swim well.
Enroll in age-appropriate Red Cross water orientation and Learn-to-Swim
courses.
·
Never leave a young child unattended near water and do not trust
a child’s life to another child; teach children to always ask permission to go
near water.
·
Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S.
Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.
·
Establish rules for your family and enforce them without
fail. For example, set limits based on each person’s ability, do not let anyone
play around drains and suction fittings, and do not allow swimmers to
hyperventilate before swimming under water or have breath-holding contests.
·
Even if you do not plan on swimming, be cautious around natural bodies of water including ocean
shoreline, rivers and lakes. Cold temperatures, currents and underwater hazards
can make a fall into these bodies of water dangerous.
·
If you go boating, wear a life jacket! Most boating
fatalities occur from drowning.
·
Avoid alcohol use. Alcohol impairs judgment, balance and
coordination; affects swimming and diving skills; and reduces the body’s
ability to stay warm.
Mountains and hills invite us to hike and enjoy the abundance of
National Forests that make Northeast Tennessee so beautiful. Do you have the Red Cross Emergency App
downloaded on your phone? If not, go to
your app store and get the free app that gives you information you need to have
a safe adventure.
·
The Emergency App:
This all-inclusive app
lets you monitor more than 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts, to
help keep you and your loved ones safe.
·
The First Aid App:
Get instant access to
information on handling the most common first aid emergencies.
Cooking on the grill? Be
safe and follow these tips from the U.S. Fire Administration to make your
evening memorable in a positive way.
- · Only use grills outdoors, away from siding and deck railing.
- · Clean grills often and remove grease or fat build-up.
- · Make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting.
- · Have a 3-foot safe-zone around grills and campfires. Keep kids and pets away from the area.
- · Dispose of coals after they have cooled in a metal can.
- · Never leave grills, fire pits, and patio torches unattended.
Now let’s head outside and enjoy this beautiful part of the
world. Enjoy the hike, the swim, and the
food - but always keeping safety in mind.
And don’t keep your tips a secret.
Share them with family, friends, and co-workers. Make today the day we prevent an emergency!
Glenda
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