RED CROSS OFFERS TIPS FOR A SAFE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

With Memorial Day just around the corner, New Yorkers will soon be opening pools, heading to the beaches and planning barbeques. The Red Cross is urging families and individuals to be prepared by registering for a Red Cross safety course.

Adam Rodriques recently sought out Red Cross safety training because one of his summer passions is taking his niece and five nephews to the beach. They also take friends along with them and I have no idea what their swimming skills are," he said. Adam and a friend are currently enrolled in a Red Cross Lifeguard Training class. "I am so happy we are doing this," he added. I will feel much more confident at the beach with the children."

When an emergency strikes, every second counts. Knowing how to help can mean the difference between life and death. The American Red Cross in Greater New York offers a wide range of safety training classes in each borough including the following:

   *   Lifeguard Training and Waterfront Lifeguarding - teaches candidates how to respond to aquatic emergencies at swimming pool facilities as well as open water, non-surf waterfront facilities. All required CPR and first aid skills are included in this course and the course meets the NYS Health Department regulations for professional lifeguards. In Manhattan, the next classes are June 7, 14, 21, 28.
   *   First Aid - teaches individuals how to identify and care for a variety of medical emergencies, including severe bleeding, shock, musculoskeletal injuries and other sudden illnesses. In Manhattan, the next classes are May 16, 28, 31.
   *   Infant/Child CPR - focuses on the application of cardiac and emergency breathing skills to infants and children through the age of 8. Infant/Child CPR is indispensable for parents (especially new parents), day care providers, babysitters, nannies, teachers and anyone else who is in frequent contact with infants and small children. In Manhattan, the next classes are May 19, 29, 31.

Whether youre on your way to the beach or just preparing for the summer months, use caution and keep the following Red Cross safety tips in mind:

Water Safety Tips:
   *   Learn to swim; its the best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water.
   *   Swim in supervised areas only.
   *   Obey all rules and posted signs.
   *   Watch out for the "dangerous too's" - too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.
   *   Dont mix alcohol and swimming. Alcohol impairs your judgment, coordination, affects your swimming and diving skills, and reduces your body's ability to stay warm.
   *   Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.
   *   Know how to prevent, recognize and respond to emergencies by taking an American Red Cross safety course.

Child Safety In, On and Around the Water:
   *   Maintain constant supervision. Watch children around any water environment (pool, stream, lake, tub, toilet, bucket of water), no matter what skills your child has acquired and no matter how shallow the water.
   *   Don't rely on substitutes. The use of flotation devices and inflatable toys cannot replace parental supervision. Such devices could suddenly shift position, deflate or slip out from underneath, leaving the child in a dangerous situation.
   *   Enroll children in a water safety course or local Learn to Swim program.
   *   Parents should take a CPR course. Knowing these skills can be important around the water and you will expand your capabilities in providing care for your child.

Beach Safety:
   *   Protect your skin. UVA rays increase the risk of skin cancer, skin aging, and other skin diseases. UVB rays cause sunburn and can lead to skin cancer. Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and wear a sunscreen with a sun protection factor containing a high rating such as 15.
   *   Drink plenty of water regularly even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them. They can make you feel good briefly but make the heat's effects on your body worse. This is especially true with beer, which dehydrates the body.
   *   Watch for signs of heat stroke. Heat stroke is life-threatening. Body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signals include hot, red, and dry skin; changes in consciousness, rapid, weak pulse, and rapid, shallow breathing. Call 9-1-1 and move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body by wrapping wet sheets around the body and fan it. If you have ice packs or cold packs, place them on each of the victim's wrists and ankles, in the armpits and on the neck to cool the large blood vessels. Watch for signals of breathing problems and make sure the airway is clear. Keep the person lying down.
   *   Wear eye protection. Sunglasses are like sunscreen for your eyes and protect against damage that can occur from UV rays.
   *   Wear foot protection. Feet can get burned from the sand or cut from glass in the sand.

For course schedules and safety information visit the American Red Cross in Greater New York online at www.nyredcross.org <http://www.nyredcross.org>. To register for a safety course now call 1-800-514-5103 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The American Red Cross helps people avoid, prepare for and respond to emergencies. We also help them rebuild their lives after an emergency. In addition to responding to major disasters like the events of September 11th, the American Red Cross in Greater New York responds to an average of eight emergencies a day such as fires, water main breaks and building collapses. The Red Cross also offers a variety of health and safety courses on such subjects as First Aid and Adult and Child CPR. To schedule a safety course call 1-800-514-5103 or visit www.nyredcross.org. For general inquiries call 1-877-REDCROSS.

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