The American Red Cross serving Muskegon, Oceana and Newaygo Counties is offering information on water safety in response to recent accidents in and around local waterways. The goal is to "Spend Summer Safe" by offering prevention tips and information.

The motto "Together, We Can Save A Life" reflects the Red Cross commitment to encourage the communities served, toward a common goal of preventing water accidents and tragedies.

• Learn to swim and be comfortable in and around the water. Call the Red Cross, your local school, or the YMCA to find out about classes.
• Obey rules and posted signs around swimming and boating areas. Don' be overconfident to think they do not apply to you, even if you know the area well.
• Remember the "dangerous too's": too tired, too cold, too much sun, too far from safety and too much to drink.
• Pay attention to weather forecasts and beach conditions. Storms can come up suddenly in Western Michigan, bringing the danger of high winds, low visibility, lightning and waves with undertow.
• There is no magic age when children no longer need supervision around water. Know the swimming skills of any children under your care.
• The Red Cross teaches people to "reach or throw, don't go". When water conditions are dangerous you can become a victim while trying to help another. Find an object you can reach or throw in the water to someone in trouble. If you have a group of strong adult swimmers, it is possible to make a "human chain" to reach someone.
• "Don't Pack it, Wear Your Jacket". If you are unsure about lifejacket regulations while boating, call the Coast Guard, Sheriff Marine Patrol or the Power Squadron.
• If you are going out on the water to boat, fish, jet ski, wind surf, kayak, etc. always tell someone where you will be and when you expect to return.
• Keep watercraft maintained and have a marine radio if you boat far from shore. Cell phones often do not work on the water.
• Learn the rules of safe boating and know the hazards of places you go in your boat. These include breakwalls, buoy markers, sandbars and swimming areas that are off limits to boats and other watercraft.
• Life you have a pool in your backyard, make this a good time to reinforce your safety rules for your family and guests.

The "Community Water Safety" course covers a variety of water safety topics including basic rescue and first aid skills, plus specific safety lessons for more than a dozen different water activities. Participants learn how to prevent accidents and respond to emergencies until help arrives.

"Longfellow's Whale Tales" was developed for lay teachers to use with children ages 5 to 12. Including a video, fun worksheets and games all geared toward lessons in safety in and around the water.