NATIONAL BEACH SAFETY WEEK - 2019

National Beach Safety Week begins the Monday before Memorial Day, May 20, 2019. The waters that surround Long Island can be a wonderful recreational resource, but they can also be treacherous. Lifeguards are provided in an effort to reduce the number of accidents at our local beaches, but they cannot do the job alone. An informed public is essential to maintaining adequate levels of beach and water safety. The objective of Naitonal Beach Safety Week is to make citizens aware of the need to be safe while in and near the water with special emphasis on the hazards associated with Rip Currents.

UNITED STATES LIFEGUARD ASSOCIATION'S TOP TEN SAFETY TIPS:

1. Learn to Swim.

2. Swim near a lifeguard.

3. Swim with a buddy.

4. Check with lifeguards on daily conditions.

5. Obey posted signs and flags - And know your location for 9-1-1 calls.

6. Keep the beach and water clean - What you pack in, pack out!

7. Learn Rip Current safety.

8. Enter water feet first.

9. Wear a life jacket when appropriate or mandated.

10. Use sunscreen and Drink plenty of water.

Rip Current Survival Tips:

Rip Currents can be killers. They are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from shore. The greatest safety precaution that can be taken is to recognize the danger of rip currents and always remember to swim at beaches with lifeguards.

Never swim alone.

Be cautious at all times. If in doubt, don't go out!

Swim at a lifeguarded beach whenever possible and obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards. It could save your life!

If caught in a rip, remain calm to conserve energy. Don't panic! Don't fight the current. Swim out of the current, parallel to the shoreline. If unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim toward shore. If still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by facing the shore, waving your arms, and yelling for help.

If you see a distressed swimmer, get help from a lifeguard or have someone call 9-1-1. Throw the victim something that floats and yell instructions on how to escape.

REMEMBER, MANY PEOPLE DROWN WHILE TRYING TO SAVE SOMEONE ELSE FROM A RIP CURRENT.