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Astorino Advises Safety First At Westchester Beaches

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- County Executive Rob Astorino and the Westchester County Department of Health are urging residents to be safe at the county's beaches, upon arrival of the openings Memorial Day weekend. 

Photo Credit: dsnetworkaz.org

Astorino and Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD, want residents to follow some sound advice to keep their families safe at the shore. 

“Westchester County beaches will be staffed this weekend with a full roster of lifeguards, but parents and guardians are our first line of defense,” Astorino said. “Please always keep your eyes on your children when they are in or near the water and be sure they swim only when and where lifeguards are on duty.”

County beaches open Saturday and county pools are set to officially open Friday, June 26. Westchester County’s popular Learn-to-swim program is offered at Tibbetts Brook Park in Yonkers and Saxon Woods Pool in White Plains.

“Knowing how to swim is not only a great skill to have but it can lead to a lifetime of fun and recreational fitness, and can even save your life,” Astorino said.

Beachgoers always should take precautions to stay hydrated and protect their skin from the effects of the summer sun.

“It’s also critical to always stay within arm’s reach of infants and toddlers in the water and to always keep your eyes on children playing in or near the shore,” Amler said.

Amler also offered the following tips to stay safe around pools and beaches this summer:

  • Don’t swim in pools or lakes that are closed.
  • Designate a water watcher to supervise children in the pool, spa or at the shore. This person should not be reading, texting, using a smart phone or otherwise distracted.
  • Learn how to perform CPR on children and adults.
  • Keep children away from pool drains, pipes, and other openings to avoid entrapments.
  • Ensure any pool and spa you use has drain covers that comply with federal safety standards, and, if you do not know, ask your pool service provider about safe drain covers.
  • At the beach, never fight currents; swim parallel to shore and at an angle if you find yourself in a rip current.

For more health and safety tips, visit www.westchestergov.com/health.

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