Nassau County Officials Address Extreme Heat and Summer Safety

Extreme Heat Preparedness

• ⚠️ Nassau County is issuing an extreme heat warning with temperatures expected to reach the 90s and feel like 100-105 degrees.
• 💧 Residents are urged to stay hydrated, wear loose clothing, and use sunscreen.
• 📱 Keep cell phones and iPads charged in case of power outages.
• 🏠 Cooling centers are available at Canyak Park, Wanto Park, and Mitchell Field for those needing relief from the heat.
• 🏃 Avoid exercising outdoors during extreme heat; opt for indoor activities if necessary.

Drowning Prevention: Pool Safety

• 🏊 Drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged 1-4, according to the CDC.
• 🚫 Never leave children unattended near a pool, not even for a second.
• 🚨 During pool parties, designate a specific person to watch children in and around the water.
• 🔒 Keep pool gates locked and doors closed to prevent accidental entry by children.
• 🌊 Consider installing pool alarms that activate when someone enters the water.

Water Safety on Boats and Beaches

• 🛥️ Ensure everyone on a boat wears a properly fitted life jacket, including children.
• 🏖️ Nassau County pools and beaches are open, with specific hours for Canyod Park, One Tour Park, North Woodmir Park, and Nickerson Beach.
• 🏊 Lifeguard positions are still open for certified 15-year-olds; applications can be found on the county website.

Personal Commitment to Water Safety

• 🦆 Stu Leonard, a local business owner, shares a personal story of losing his young son to drowning, emphasizing how quickly tragedy can strike.
• 👨‍🏫 Leonard became a Red Cross certified lifeguard to advocate for water safety.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 He stresses the importance of a designated watcher for children around pools, similar to a designated driver for alcohol.
• 📱 He advises parents to put down their cell phones and vigilantly supervise children near water.

Promoting Swimming and Floating Skills

• 🎓 Leonard's organization, Safety Swim, offers free swim lessons, with a focus on teaching children to float on their backs as a crucial life-saving skill.
• 💰 Profits from their swim schools are donated to support inner-city youth and organizations like the YMCA and the Autistic Society.
• 🌊 Many children, particularly in inner-city areas, have never seen water before, highlighting the need for accessible swim education.
• 🎯 Four to six swimming lessons can teach essential skills like floating, providing critical time for rescue.