False 1 English 42 Nutrition and Physical Activity, Safety, Outdoor Safety Safety, Babies and Toddlers 3/29/2013 5:03:53 PM http://www.healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/glmedia/tools_icons/swimsafelyquicktips.jpg http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/parenting/nutrition-and-physical-activity/swim-safely-quick-tips http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/parenting/safety/protect-your-skin-from-the-sun topic http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/everyday-healthy-living/safety/protect-your-child-from-injury topic http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/everyday-healthy-living/safety/learn-first-aid topic http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/index.html http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/tips.shtml http://www.poolsafely.gov <p>Swimming is a great way for the whole family to get active. Follow these tips to stay safe in and near the water.</p><h2>Swim safely.</h2><ul><li>Take swim lessons if you don&rsquo;t know how to swim. Sign your kids up for lessons as soon as they are old enough.</li><li>Swim near a lifeguard and never swim alone.</li><li>Don&rsquo;t drink alcohol if you are swimming or watching children.</li><li>Use floating toys like water wings and noodles for fun &ndash; not for safety. Don&rsquo;t use them in place of life jackets.</li><li>Watch out for rip currents. A rip current is when the water pulls you away from shore. If you get caught in a rip current, swim along the shoreline until you are out of the current, then swim to shore.</li></ul><h2>Watch children carefully.</h2><ul><li>Make sure at least one adult is watching when children are near or in the water.</li><li>Don&rsquo;t read or use the phone while you are watching young children.</li><li>Watch all children in the water, even if they know how to swim.</li><li>If you have a pool, install 4-sided fencing that&rsquo;s at least 4 feet high and separates the pool from the house or yard. Use self-closing and self-latching gates that open outward and are out of reach of children.</li></ul><h2>Check water and weather conditions before going swimming.</h2><ul><li>Don&rsquo;t swim in lakes, rivers, or the ocean after heavy rain. Water is more likely to be polluted after a rain storm.</li><li>Check for signs or warnings about bacteria or other pollution in the water.</li><li>Get out of the water right away if you hear thunder or see lightning. Strong winds can also be dangerous.</li></ul><h2>Protect yourself and others from germs in the water.</h2><ul><li>Try not to get water in your mouth.</li><li>Make sure everyone is clean before swimming. Shower with soap. Wash your hands after using the bathroom or changing diapers.</li><li>Take your kids on bathroom breaks or check diapers often. Change diapers in a bathroom or a diaper-changing area.</li></ul><h2>Protect your skin from the sun.</h2><ul><li>Wear plenty of sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15.</li><li>Put on more sunscreen every couple of hours and after swimming.</li></ul> <script type='text/javascript'>var healthfinder_search_api_domain='http://healthfinder.gov'; var healthfinder_search_api_key='demo_analytic_key'; var healthfinder_search_api_q = ''; var healthfinder_search_api_lang = 'en'; var healthfinder_search_api_type = ''; var healthfinder_search_api_topics = ''; var healthfinder_search_api_tools = '42'; var healthfinder_search_api_categories = ''; var healthfinder_search_api_return_type = 'xml'; </script><script type='text/javascript' src='http://healthfinder.gov/Scripts/hf_search_api_analytics.js'></script> http://healthfinder.gov/prevention/glmedia/bw_hf_logo.gif http://healthfinder.gov <script type='text/javascript'>var healthfinder_search_api_domain='http://healthfinder.gov'; var healthfinder_search_api_key='demo_analytic_key'; var healthfinder_search_api_q = ''; var healthfinder_search_api_lang = 'en'; var healthfinder_search_api_type = ''; var healthfinder_search_api_topics = ''; var healthfinder_search_api_tools = '42'; var healthfinder_search_api_categories = ''; var healthfinder_search_api_return_type = 'xml'; </script><script type='text/javascript' src='http://healthfinder.gov/Scripts/hf_search_api_analytics.js'></script>