FREE WATER SAFETY CLINICS HOSTED BY RED CROSS

Bay area Locations

Manatee County
Saturday, June 6th - 10am – 12pm
YMCA – Manatee County | Phone: 941-792-7484
3805 59th Street West
Bradenton, FL 34209

Hillsborough County
Saturday, June 13th -10am – 12pm
Family Recreation Complex - City of Temple Terrace Parks & Rec. | Phone: 813-506-6600
6610 E. Whiteway Drive
Temple Terrance, FL 33617

Pasco County
Saturday, June 20th - 11am – 1pm
Pasco County Parks & Recreation | Phone: 819-929-1220
Land O Lakes Recreation Center
3032 Collier Pkwy.
Land O Lakes, FL 34639

Pinellas County
Saturday, June 27th - 10am – 12pm
City of St Petersburg - Fossil Park Pool | Phone: 727-893-7440
6739 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. St. N.,
St. Petersburg, FL 33702

Red Cross Water Safety Rules

Learn to swim and swim well. One of the best things anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is learn to swim. No one, including adults, should ever swim alone. The Red Cross has swimming courses for all ages and skill levels.
Never leave a child unattended near water – not even for a moment. It only takes a second for a small child to slip underwater, fall into a pool or be pulled into the water by a wave. Adults should practice “reach supervision,” which means to always be within arm’s length of a child in case an emergency occurs.
Be equipped before entering the water. Always keep basic lifesaving equipment by the residential pool and know how to use it. A first aid kit, cordless phone, phone list with emergency contact information, a reaching pole and a ring buoy with a nylon line attached are recommended.
Know when you’ve had too much. If you, or someone you are swimming with, appears to be too cold, too far from safety, been exposed to too much sun, or had too much strenuous activity, it is time to head for shore or signal for help.
Eliminate temptation. Surround a backyard pool with a fence at least 4 feet high on all sides. The safest fence will have vertical bars with spacing small enough that children cannot slip through them with self-latching that remains locked when the pool is not being used.
Know what you’re getting into. Open bodies of water have many different currents, some can be dangerous. Never swim in an area that does not have a lifeguard. Check with local officials to see what types of currents are most common in the area you plan to swim. Learn how to spot a dangerous current and what to do if you’re caught in one.
Take your plan to the park. Don’t let your guard down at water parks; drowning is possible in only a few feet of water. Follow all posted instructions and always slide feet-first unless directed otherwise by the ride operator. On speed slides, be sure legs are crossed to prevent injuries.
Learn first aid and CPR. It is important that every household have at least one person who can perform this lifesaving skill. Families must insist that babysitters, grandparents and anyone else who cares for their children learn first aid and CPR.

Pool Safety Tips

Video Tips

Never leave a child unobserved around water. Your eyes must be on the child at all times. Adult supervision is recommended.
Install a phone by the pool or keep a cordless phone nearby so that you can call 9-1-1 in an emergency.
Learn Red Cross CPR and insist that babysitters, grandparents, and others who care for your child know CPR.
Post CPR instructions and 9-1-1 or your local emergency number in the pool area. more»

Beach Safety

Video Tips

Protect your skin: Sunlight contains two kinds of UV rays -- UVA increases the risk of skin cancer, skin aging, and other skin diseases. UVB causes sunburn and can lead to skin cancer. Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and wear a sunscreen with a sun protection factor containing a high rating such as 15.
Drink plenty of water regularly and often even if you do not feel thirsty. Your body needs water to keep cool. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them. They can make you feel good briefly but make the heat's effects on your body worse. This is especially true with beer, which dehydrates the body. more»

Waterpark Safety

Be sure the area is well supervised by lifeguards before you or others in your group enter the water.
Read all posted signs. Follow the rules and directions given by lifeguards. Ask questions if you are not sure about a correct procedure.
When you go from one attraction to another, note that the water depth may be different and that the attraction should be used in a different way. more»