PHOENIX (May 3, 2010) - Now that the warm weather has arrived, there's nothing like swimming to help cool you off on a hot Arizona day. The American Red Cross urges everyone to make water safety a priority, whether you are taking a dip in the pool, or spending the day at the lake.

“With so many people planning to stay cool in pools, water parks, lakes and beaches, it’s important for parents to make water safety a priority,” says Erin Kerger, Grand Canyon Chapter Aquatics Specialist. “Learn how to swim and take water safety, first aid and CPR/AED training so you’ll know what to do in an emergency.”

The Red Cross offers these safety steps you can take to help ensure a fun-filled, safe time while you’re swimming:

• Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.

• Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone.

• Never leave a young child unattended near water and do not trust a child’s life to another child; teach children to always ask permission to go near water.

• Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.

• Maintain constant supervision.

• Make sure everyone in your family learns to swim well. Enroll in age-appropriate Red Cross water safety instruction and learn-to-swim classes.

• If you have a pool, secure it with appropriate barriers. Many children who drown in home pools were out of sight for less than five minutes and in the care of one or both parents at the time.

• Avoid distractions when supervising children around water.

• If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.

• Have appropriate equipment, such as reaching or throwing equipment, a cell phone, life jackets and a first aid kit.

• Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.

• Enroll in Red Cross water safety, first aid and CPR courses to learn how to respond to emergencies.

For more information about water safety and preparedness, visit www.arizonaredcross.org

About the American Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter The American Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter is where volunteers from across central and northern Arizona come together to help people in need every day. The volunteer-led organization serves more than 5.2 million people in communities across Apache, Coconino, Gila, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, Yavapai and Yuma counties. The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the financial generosity of Arizona neighbors to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.arizonaredcross.org or call 1-800-842-7349. . To give blood, visit www.givelife.org or call 1-800-GIVE LIFE.