One of the best parts of the summer season is playing in the water. Whether you’re digging your toes in the sand or relaxing poolside, there are tons of ways to enjoy your time outdoors. Plus, with New York beaches and pools now open at full capacity, there’s no better time to get out and take a dip.
As you gear up for your water-based activities, it’s important to brush up on safety tips. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, there may be a few additional recommendations to pay attention to this year. However, with a little bit of preparation you and your family will be able to make the most of your summer, while also preventing accidents!
Keeping the Beach and Pool COVID-Safe
This summer, we’re more excited than ever to dive into warm weather and sunshine after more than a year of social distancing. Though the spread of coronavirus has significantly slowed and many are now vaccinated, it is never a poor idea to implement sanitation and safety measures. Here are a few extra steps you can take to prevent the spread of germs at the beach and pool this summer.
- Make sure to pack some disinfectant wipes in your summer fun bag so you can wipe down toys before and after using them.
- Even with rules relaxing, it’s still wise to maintain six feet of distance from people who are not members of your household.
- Again, social distancing guidelines may not be as stringent as they were last summer. Still, it’s not a bad idea to pick less crowded times to visit the beach or pool.
Beach and Pool Safety Tips*:
(*It is never recommended to enter the water in dangerous conditions or beyond an individual’s abilities to swim safely. Children at the beach or pool should be attended by adults at all times.)
- Keep kids’ skin (and your own!) protected with rash guards, hats, and of course, a high SPF sunscreen.
- Don’t bring glass bottles to the beach or pool and look out for anything that resembles broken glass in the sand. And it’s not just glass to look out for, according to a beach lifeguard, the top causes of lacerations at the beach are glass, rocks, and surfboards – so protect your face when you fall off your surfboard or duck under waves to avoid getting hit.
- Always have a designated adult to monitor children in a pool or at the beach, especially in a group social activity. Also, alcohol and swimming don’t mix, so save adult beverages for post pool time.
- Keep a first-aid kit in your beach/pool bag stocked with bandages, gauze, ice packs, antiseptic spray and other first aid essentials.
- Be mindful of pool chemicals and check that your pool is balanced. Chlorine keeps pools clean, but an overload of chlorine can irritate skin and even cause chemical burns.
- If you are at a beach barbecue, using a firepit, or any type of grill, keep children away from coals, hot edges, and fire tools.
- Download the Dr.STITCH contact card into your phone for emergencies.
Our team of surgeons and medical experts are confident that these tips will help you and the ones you love to enjoy the summer safely. Please remember that in the event of an emergency, Dr.STITCH is here for you. Our expert physicians are available 24 /7 for the immediate treatment of urgent lacerations, burns, complex wounds, facial traumas, and hand injuries.
To ensure easy access to our team, don’t forget to save our contact cards in your phone!