Town of Sherman, Connecticut Website

The Connecticut Department of Public Health has asked all of the State's First Selectmen and Mayors to pass along these tips to swimmers and recreational boaters:

Whether you are with children or adults, DPH recommends these precautions while swimming:

- Provide constant, undivided supervision when children are in or near water. Remember that children can drown in just a few inches of water in sources such as wading pools or buckets.
- Never swim alone.
- Swim only in designated swimming areas.
- Choose swimming sites that employ trained and certified lifeguards whenever possible.
- Avoid alcohol use before and during aquatic activities, or when supervising children in or near water.
- Teach children over four to swim, but remember that constant supervision is still key.
- Don't rely on "water wing," "noodles" or other inflatable or foam toys. They are not designed to prevent drowning.

If you have a home swimming pool, these additional precautions are recommended:

- Install a fence or wall completely around the pool. Barriers shyould be at least four feet high and have no hand or footholds that could help a child climb over.
- Gates should be self-closing and self-latching with the latch out of a child's reach.
- Pool alarms may provide additional layers of protection.
- For above ground pools, steps or ladders should be secured and locked or removed when not in use.
- Keep a phone and rescue equipment poolside.

Boaters are asked to:

- Use Coast Guard approved life jackets for yourself and your passengers when boating or fishing.
- Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around water is to learn to swim. This includes anyone participating in any boating activity.
- Remember that alcohol and boating don't mix. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination. For the same reasons it is dangerous to operate an automobile while under the influence of alcohol, people should not operate a boat when drinking alcohol.
- Develop a float plan. Anytime you go out in a boat, give a responsible person details about where you will be and how long you will be gone. If the boat is delayed due to an emergency, becomes lost, or encounters other problems, you want help to be able to reach you.
- Take a boating safety course in your area--these courses teach about navigation rules, emergency procedures and the effects of wind, water conditions, and weather.
- Watch the weather: All boats should have on-board a NOAA-capable raddio to monitor local weather conditions. Constantly check those conditions, and stop boating as soon as you see or hear about a storm.
- Keep boats out of designated swimming areas.

Have a safe summer!