Be Safe In The Water This Summer

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The Fourth of July weekend is here, and so is the seasonal heat and humidity — plus the urge to jump into any handy body of water.

Without proper precautions, accidents can happen in an instant, warned Acting State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald.

"As the summer heat arrives, families all across the state will be looking for fun ways to stay cool, and that often means heading to the pool or beach," said New York Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez. "I urge all New Yorkers to follow these simple safety tips and always supervise children in and around all bodies of water to help keep the summertime safe and fun for all."

The Westchester County Police Marine Unit will have an increased presence on the Hudson River and Long Island Sound through the July Fourth holiday to ensure boater safety and to participate in a nationwide Boating While Intoxicated enforcement campaign.

Safety tips for ALL bodies of water

Water Watcher. This person should not be reading, texting, using a smartphone, drinking alcoholic beverages or otherwise distracted.

Boating

• Wear Life Jackets: Put life jackets on kids anytime they are on a boat or participating in other open water recreational activities. Personal flotation devices must be available for every person on board (including in kayaks, canoes and rowboats) and is recommended to be worn on the water by persons of every age. It is estimated that 70 percent of all boating-related deaths could be prevented if PFDs were more fully utilized. New York State law requires that children under 12 wear a Coast Guard-approved life vest on a boat or water vessel. For more information on proper life jackets, go to the United States Coast Guard site.
• Have a float plan and leave it with someone on shore. Be sure that the plan indicates what time you will be leaving, where you will be going and what time you estimate you will return.
  

Pool safety

• Put Up Barriers: Install appropriate safety barriers around in-home pools and spas. This includes fences, gates, door alarms and covers.
• Pool Alarms: Install a pool alarm to detect and provide notification of unattended pool access.
• Small Pools: Drain and put away smaller portable pools when not in use.
• Cover Drains: Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid them getting stuck. Children’s hair, limbs, jewelry or bathing suits can get stuck in a drain or suction opening. Also, ensure any pool and spa you use has drain covers that comply with federal safety standards, which include drain shape, drain cover size and rate of water flow. Learn more here.

Ocean safety

• Choose a spot on the beach close to a lifeguard: Swim only when a lifeguard is on duty.
• Watch for warning flags and know what they mean: Green flags usually mark designated swimming areas – be sure to swim between the green flags. Yellow flags may denote a surfing beach or an advisory. Red flags indicate a danger or hazard, and no one should swim when they are shown. Flag designations may vary so be sure to understand the color coding before you dive in.
• Watch out for rip currents: Rip currents are powerful currents moving away from shore. They tend to form near a shallow point in the water, such as a sandbar, or close to jetties and piers and can happen at any beach with breaking waves, including the Great Lakes. They are the number one hazard for beachgoers and can pull even the strongest swimmers out to sea. If you are caught in a rip current, try to remain calm and don’t fight it. Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current, and float or tread water if you begin to tire. More from the National Weather Service, Break the Grip of the Rip.
• Beware of large waves and strong surf: Ocean swimming is different from swimming in a calm pool or lake. Large waves can easily knock over an adult. Be prepared for strong surf as well as sudden drop-offs near the shore.

Plus, to reduce and minimize potential interactions with sharks, New Yorkers are encouraged to take the following steps:

• Avoid areas with schools of fish, splashing fish, or diving seabirds;
• Avoid swimming at dusk, night, and dawn;
• Avoid murky water;
• Swim, paddle, and surf in groups;
• Stay close to shore, where feet can touch the bottom; and
• Always follow the instructions of lifeguards and park staff.

The annual summer migration of sharks into New York’s coastal waters is underway and sightings of shark activity in the nearshore ocean waters is expected to increase through September.

"New York State has world-class ocean beaches that are desirable destinations to many visitors during the summer months. It’s also a wild and natural marine ecosystem that supports a wide diversity of marine life, including sharks," DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. "Human-shark interactions are rare events in New York. However, DEC encourages all beachgoers to respect these animals and follow shark safety guidance to minimize their risk of negative interactions with sharks."