BRATTLEBORO POLICE DEPARTMENT SAFETY GROUPS
TIP OF THE MONTH
July
Water Safety-
There is no greater place than the family pool or being at the beach. However, as water holds endless fascination for toddlers, you must take every precaution to prevent your child from entering the water without you. Small children lack the cognitive ability to discern danger. It is the adult's responsibility to protect these curious and impulsive explorers from entering any body of water unsupervised. Fortunately, many proactive strategies do exist providing multiple layers of protection to help minimize the risk of a child "accidentally" falling into the family pool or any body of water. Supervision, combined with barriers (including double door locks, door alarms, pool alarms and perimeter yard fencing), pool safety fencing, gentle swimming lessons and CPR/water safety awareness can help keep our children safe.
Ø SUPERVISION
Ø BARRIERS
Ø SWIMMING SAFETY SKILLS
Ø LEARN CPR
Here's some other good advice for the pool: · Always have an adult watch you when you are in the pool — even in your own backyard. Never go in the pool if there is no adult around.
· Gates are around pools for a reason — to keep kids away from the water when there isn't a lifeguard or adult around to watch them. Never go through any pool gates when they are closed. Stay safe and stay out!
· Always obey pool rules.
· Swim with a buddy.
· If you're learning to swim, ask your mom or dad to make sure your flotation devices are Coast Guard approved.
· Walk slowly in the pool area. Don't run.
· Swim at a depth that is safe for you. If you're just learning to swim, stay in the shallow end.
· Don't push or jump on others. You could accidentally hurt someone or yourself.
· Toys to help you float come in many shapes and sizes (an inner tube, air mattress, or beach ball, for example). Although they are fun and can help you while you learn to swim, what they can't do is save a life. They're toys that can lose air or float away.
· Don't chew gum or eat while you swim — you could choke
If you have any questions please call the Brattleboro Police Department 257-7946 or Windham County SAFE Kids 254-1010 Ext 104.
