Summer Safety Tips: What to Know for the Beach, Pool, and Travel

NORTH CAROLINA, USA — There are many things on a to-do list when it comes to planning for summer. Solar cream? Check. Towels? Check. Beach chairs? Check. While you're at it, consider adding these summer safety tips from American Red Cross to your mental checklist before heading out this season.

• Always swim in a supervised area.
• Enter unfamiliar or shallow waters with caution.
• Observe and prepare for fast currents and waves, even in shallow water.
• Do not enter water from a height, such as a bridge or boat.

Rip currents also pose a potential danger to beaches. Here's what you need to know about navigating the tides:

• Check the warning flags posted along the beach.
• When in the water, always be more than 100 feet from piers and jetties.

• Stay calm. Don't fight it.
• Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current, or float/walk on water.
• Signal to shore for help.

• Never leave a young child unsupervised in water or in the care of another child.
• Inexperienced swimmers stay within arm's reach of an experienced person.
• Don't rely solely on flotation devices (inflatable toys, pool noodles, water wings, etc.) if you are an inexperienced swimmer.

• Try to walk and park only in lit, populated areas.
• Keep the fuel tank at least a quarter full at all times.
• If your car breaks down, raise the hood or tie a white cloth tied to your antenna.
• Share your travel plans with a family member or friend who is not on the trip. (Arrival time, accommodation plans, travel itinerary, etc.)

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