[July 25, 2011] Swim safe Tweet Jul 25, 2011 (St. Joseph News-Press - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- These last couple of weeks have been, well, hot. With heat indexes reaching past 100 degrees on a near daily basis, there's a good chance that if you're going outside you're heading to a pool to cool off. With that in mind, here are some safety tips to keep in mind from city of St. Joseph aquatics supervisor Jende Smith, who oversees the Aquatic Park and Krug and Hyde pools. Never swim alone. "You just never know if or when something will happen," Ms. Smith says. So, make sure there's somebody there who can call for help if needed. Supervise your children. Ms. Smith says this doesn't only apply to private pools. Parents need to keep an eye on their children even when lifeguards are on duty, because a lifeguard's attention is spread across the entire facility. "There's a false sense of security if they go to a public facility that has lifeguards, thinking the lifeguards are there to be responsible for all the kids," Ms. Smith says. Keep a phone close by. If you need to call for help, even a minute spent searching for a phone can make all the difference. Make sure it's charged and easily accessible. Don't forget sun protection. Apply sunscreen every hour or each time you exit the water, Ms. Smith says. She also says a hat and sunglasses are a good idea and recommends a type of clothing called a rash guard shirt that can give extra protection from the sun. Know where safety equipment is located. Whether you're swimming in a backyard pool, in a hotel or at a public facility, it's crucial to know where safety devices are located and how to use them. Kevin Krauskopf can be reached at [email protected]. To see more of the St. Joseph News-Press or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.stjoenews-press.com/. Copyright (c) 2011, St. Joseph News-Press, Mo. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]