As summer winds down and school starts up, Westlake Municipal Utility District No. 1 (Westlake MUD 1) would like to ensure that residents continue to prioritize safety. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind:
Pool Safety
With the heat wave hammering the Gulf Coast right now, there are still a lot of residences using their pools, and the District neighborhoods will be using theirs through at least Labor Day weekend.
- Never leave children unattended around pools.
- Enroll in a CPR class and familiarize yourself with basic lifesaving equipment (a pole, rope, personal flotation devices, etc.) Ensure equipment is kept in the pool area.
- If you notice a child is missing, always check the pool first.
- Ensure toys and floats are put away when not in use.
- Have your phone nearby and charged in case of an emergency.
- Teach children to avoid drains in the pool. Pool drains use suction to filter the water, and children have been trapped under water by drains.
Excessive Heat Safety
- Stay hydrated and ensure you consume plenty of fluids.
- Avoid areas with excessive heat for long periods and ensure you have an area to cool down in case of overheating.
- Minimize direct exposure to the sun and wear plenty of SPF.
- Monitor your local weather forecast for excessive heat warnings.
Drowning Safety
Parents can take steps to prevent drowning risk and danger by following the tips below:
- Ensure every member of your family learns how to swim
- Ensure there is a lifeguard present and always have a designated person supervising children and toddlers.
- Wear protection, such as a life jacket, especially in large bodies of water and while boating.
- Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of drowning and seek medical attention if necessary.
Not all drowning happens in the water. Sometimes attributed to “dry drowning” or “delayed drowning” in the news or on social media, any drowning injury that occurs during submersion in water or after is classified as a drowning injury in the medical community. These terms were used erroneously to cover a submersion injury to the lungs resulting in a laryngospasm, which is when the body forcefully closes the airways, but no actual water has entered the lungs.
If a child has been the water, is breathing, walking and talking normally then later gets sick or experiences nausea and/or vomiting, the child needs be seen by a health-care provider immediately.
More information regarding drowning can be found on the Red Cross website.
Beach Safety
- Learn Rip Current Safety: Rip currents are channelized currents of water flowing away from shore at surf beaches that typically form at breaks in sandbars and near structures.
- Only swim where there are lifeguards on duty and where signs indicate that it's safe to swim.
- Before you leave for the beach, check for any advisories.
- Remain close to the shore where your body can handle the pull of the waves and currents more easily.
- Be aware of your surroundings and know where children and family members are at all times. Being vigilant also means paying attention to posted signs and obeying the lifeguards.
Stay safe and enjoy the remaining days of summer!
Helpful Links:
- Center for Disease Control – Water Safety: CDC Water Safety
- American Red Cross: American Red Cross Water Safety
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – Rip Currents: NOAA Rip Currents
- Center for Disease Control – Extreme Heat: CDC Extreme Heat
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