Elton John and Billy Joel - Face 2 Face Tour Tickets
After hearing the news about the rip tides at the New Jersey shores and of all the drownings, I thought I would focus a little on the importance to
know the weather conditions before you venture out.
It is important to stay in the water with your children and explain to them what a rip currents is and how to handle one if they happened to be caught in one. Some of the signs of a rip current is: water that is discolored and choppy, foamy, or filled with debri.
If caught in a rip current, one of the suggestions is to swim parallel to the
wave (if you know how to swim) and when out of the current, to swim to shore. It is good to never swim alone and to always swim where there are life guards.
If you think you are in trouble, I also would suggest calling for help!
If you are a boater, it is suggested to wear the Coast Guard approved life jackets. Strong winds and thunderstorms with lightning strikes are also dangerous.
If your child is in a home pool, locked fences are
important to checked when swimming is done for the day. I believe there are
alarms you can place on fences or to place in the area to warn you if anyone coming in the area. If you have children over to your pool, it is a good idea to make sure you know which children can swim and the ones who can't swim before they enter the water. Do not assume that all children
know how to swim when you invite them to a party. My granddaughter, 6 yrs, almost drown last year because of what I have just mentioned. In a matter of 2 minutes of me taking the other grandchildren 9 months and 2yrs, out of the car, my granddaughter was in the water drowning and not one person made a move to help her until I hollered out for someone to help her.
One of the parents there, said in a joking way, "come on guys, help your friend out." I can't swim and non of the young boys 6-7 moved to help, nor did the homeowners . The man did extend his arm
for my granddaughter to grab. I was thankful for
at least that. I did speak to the parent, about their swimming policy. They did
have life jackets there. I think they just assummed, all who came to a classmate pool party, could swim.
My granddaughter started her swimming lessons the next week! I'm scheduling swimming lessons for the summer.
Do not assume that when you tell a child where the deep water is in your pool is that they understand. For non-swimmers, and having fun, life
jackets are a must!(Unless you are in 6 inches of water.)
If you are visiting with your child a community pool, never let them go alone. I have seen other children try to drown-play their buddies (2 boys holding their buddy down in the water as a game)right in front of a life guard. I hardly thought it was funny and so, I put my 2 cents in on both the life guard(who made a comment he could not sit and just watch 3 kids) and the kids (boys around 10-12). It was not a pretty scene. I had to leave the area with my grandchild to another community pool in the area.
Swimming lessons are important for everyone to learn. Swimming is a sport, but should be respected and enjoyed for the good.
Now, my granddaughter who is taking her 2nd year of summer of swimming is still learning how to swim. She was able to save her 3 yr old brother a month ago, who was standing out in the ocean and got taken out. Her quick thinking saved him. I wasn't there, but she said she saw he was too far out and swam towards him and grabbed his arm, bringing him in. And where was the mother?......
Sitting and lying on the beach while your children are in the water or even near it, is the big, No, No. If I was to re-name this article, I would call it, "The Passages of Life".
by Thelma Harcum
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