Water safety tips for the summer

The summer is a great time to spend some quality time around the pool or at the beach, but it's important to always put safety first.

Amanda Kelly, Aquatics Director at YMCA of Greater Providence , joined The Rhode Show with some important water safety reminders.

Whether it's the pool, beach, water park, or lakefront, here are some tips to help prevent accidents this summer:

• Only swim when and where there is a lifeguard on duty. Never swim alone.
• Adults should constantly watch children in and near the water. A "water watcher" should be selected so everyone knows who is "on duty".
• Inexperienced swimmers should wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD).
• Children who are beginning swimmers should stay within arm's reach of an adult in the water.
• Pay attention to your surroundings. Stop swimming at the very first sign of bad weather. 

The YMCA offers a variety of programs that help swimmers learn water skills, develop confidence in and around the water and enjoy the benefits of water exercise. The Y encourages everyone to take swim lessons - it's never too late for anyone to learn or improve their skills.

For more information on programs and offerings, visit gpymca.org or contact your local YMCA branch.