Advice From Experts—

Swimming Safely This Summer

By Kendra Bobowick

The coconut scent of suntan lotion, the sound of flip-flops slapping against sunbathers’ feet, and the tingle of inevitable sunburn bring to mind the waterside scenes of summer. Swimmers heading for the pool or walking toward the end of a dock prompt thoughts of safety first for Parks and Recreation Director Barbara Kasbarian. With Treadwell Park’s pool open since Memorial Day, she pictures the many families that will come for a swim this summer.

Addressing that facility’s safety specifically, she said, “Number one, parents have to realize they have to watch their children even though lifeguards are on duty.” The guards are not meant to act as babysitters, she said. “Parents need to be there and watching their children.”

The lifeguards are watching the water, Ms Kasbarian said.

Treadwell’s head lifeguard Kate Hoolehan explained, “We’re looking mostly for the elderly and younger [swimmers] to check for signs of distressed swimmers. We watch to see if children are anxious or distressed.” Ms Kasbarian said, “They are making sure no one is in trouble and making sure rules are followed in the water and on the deck.”

Ms Hoolehan continued, “We watch the elderly even if they’re just swimming laps — something could happen — and we try to watch who is in the pool and who has just arrived and keep count of who can swim and who is dependent on hanging on the wall.”

“Swimmies,” or the colorful, inflatable plastic items meant for children’s arms, for example, or general fun in the water, are off limits. “We don’t allow any inflatables in the pool, they’re a false sense of security, and they could pop,” Ms Kasbarian said.

Beyond the public swimming pool, other safety measures can benefit residents visiting a water park, enjoying a backyard pool, taking a day trip or vacation to the seaside, or diving into one of Newtown’s lakes.

Parks and Recreation’s Waterfront Safety Director Blair Balmforth, along with Ms Hoolehan, offered his advice. “The beach or waterfront is much different than a pool,” Mr Balmforth said. Swimmers have to consider the water temperatures, tides and currents in fresh or salt water. Some bodies of water could run cold. “If it’s too cold, hypothermia could set in pretty quickly,” Mr Balmforth said. He also recommends that residents use Coast Guard-approved flotation devices out on a lake or salt water. Find safety recommendations and examples of flotation devices at uscgboating.org.

Aside from the water conditions, swimmers must consider their own strengths and weaknesses before taking a dip. For example, what if someone is calling for help?

“Throw, don’t go,” Mr Balmforth said. Toss something to a person in distress, but don’t jump in after them, he warned. “We don’t need potentially multiple victims,” he said. If you’re tired, stay ashore. “Regardless of peer pressure or friends, don’t go out there,” he said. Wearing clothing into the water also presents a hazard. “Clothes will drag you down, and a bathing suit won’t do that,” he said.

Ms Hoolehan also offered personal safety tips.

“Always be conscious of things in and around the water — other people, objects,” she said. On a more personal note, she also insisted, “Know your water skills — how good are you in the water?”

Take precautions with the pool equipment, as well. Drains, which operate on suction, can pose a threat. “Filters in a deep end can be strong,” she said. Clothing and hair can become snared, and prevent a swimmer from reaching the surface. Younger children can get a finger caught in a filter or vent, also. She and other staff go through a checklist regularly to make sure the Treadwell facility is safe.

Mr Balmforth recommends swimming lessons. He promotes lessons offered by certified instructors, but offered some general advice. “Make sure you float before you swim, sort of like crawling before you walk,” he said. The Newtown Parks and Recreation Department offers swim lessons to residents as young as infants, and older.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health also suggests residents take lessons. According to a recent release, the health department “highly recommends that families take advantage of swimming lessons, boating safety classes…” and more. The department also recommends supervising children, never swim alone, swim in areas with certified lifeguards, avoid alcohol, and teach children to swim.

The department lists swimming pool tips. Install a fence around the pool, use self-closing gates, consider a pool alarm, remove ladders for above the ground pools when they are not in use, and keep a phone and rescue equipment poolside.

Boaters should learn to swim, avoid alcohol while operating a watercraft, use coast Guard-approved water jackets, be sure to let others know the approximate area you will be in case of delays, a storm or emergency, take a boating course, watch the weather, and keep boats out of designated swimming areas.

Information about swimming and boating safety is available on a host of websites. Visit boatsafe.com, redcross.org, and nsc.org are three. Based on information found at kidshealth.org, “Buddy up!” Always swim with a partner, every time — whether you’re swimming in a backyard pool or in a lake. Even experienced swimmers can become tired or get muscle cramps, which might make it difficult to get out of the water.

Swimming in Newtown

Eichler’s Cove off of Old Bridge Road on the outskirts of town offers a boat launch and marina now open to the public since the town purchased the property within the last two years. The cove’s beach will not be ready for swimmers this summer, Ms Kasbarian said. The indoor high school pool will also be closed for maintenance this summer. Treadwell is the only public swimming facility since Dickinson Park pond was closed and filled in due to health code violations.