Have a Safe Memorial Day Weekend

The kickoff to the summer season is here and many residents and visitor's to Forsyth County will be enjoying neighborhood pools, the , and of course,. Make it a safe and enjoyable weekend as well as all season long by adhering to these simple safety water tips.

As 'National Water Safety Month' continues, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that drowning is the sixth leading cause of unintentional injury death for people of all ages, and the second leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 14 years.

Drowning can occur in many locations, not just the pool. Drowning can happen in a bucket left for a small child to get into, a bathtub where an infant or toddler is left alone for just a moment or an unlocked toilet for an infant or toddler to fall into, just to name a few.

With temperatures getting hotter, this is an ideal time to think about how you can keep yourself and your loved ones safe around water.  provides the following safety tips from the CDC and the National Drowning Prevention Alliance to help prevent drowning.

• If a child is missing or unaccounted for, always check the water first.

• Always know where children are. Never leave a child unattended in or near water.

• Designate a responsible adult to watch young children while in the bath and all children swimming or playing in or around water.

• An adult should always be within reach when infants and toddlers are in and around water.

• Consider using a certified lifeguard for residential gatherings that include swimming activities.

• Always be aware of potential dangers in all environments, including unfamiliar surroundings such as while on vacation or at community pools.

• Never swim alone – use the buddy system.

• Neither adults nor children should swim alone regardless of age or skill level.

• Never use a floatation device as a substitute for a supervisor or as a toy.

• Always have some type of rescue equipment, such as a life-saving ring or shepherd’s hook, at poolside.

• Use barrier devices such as gates, fences, pool covers and alarms.

• Teach yourself and children how to swim.

• Learn CPR.

• Always have a phone nearby in case of an emergency.

• Dial 911 in the event of an emergency.