May 26, 2008 is, for many, the official start of summer. Summer safety is more than remembering sun screen when going outside. It's about being informed and prepared when going in or near water, especially at your local pools, lake or beach. The following tips are important to note to reduce the chance of an unfortunate event:

LEARN TO SWIM. the best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around water is to learn to swim.

Never leave a child unobserved around water. Your eyes must be on the child at all times. Adult supervision is recommended. Install a phone by the pool or keep a mobile phone nearby so that you can call 9-1-1 in an emergency.

LEARN CPR. Insist on learning CPR, and insist on babysitters, grandparents, and others who care for your children to know CPR.

Ask your homeowners association or appartment complex to post CPR instructions and 9-1-1 in your pool area. Keep toys away from the pool when it is not in use. Toys can attract young children into the pool. If a child is missing, check the pool first. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom, and surface as well as the surrounding pool area.

For homeowners with pools: enclose the pool area completely with a self-locking, self-closing fence with vertical bars. Openings in the fence should be no more than four inches wide. The house should not be included as a part of the barrier. Never leave furniture near the fence that would enable a child to climb over the fence. Always keep basic lifsaving equipment by the pool and know how to use it. Pole, rope, and personal flotation devices(PFD's) are recommended. Remember, accidents are predictable and preventable. If you think it can happen, make some changes.

For more information on water safety, call the Oconee County Chapter at 864-638-5619.

June 16th-19th or June 23rd-27th: Level 1, 5:30pm. Level 2, 6:00pm. Level 3, 6:30pm. Level 5 & 6, 7:00pm.

July 7th-10th or July 14th-17th: Level 4, 9:30am. Level 3, 10am. Level 2, 10;30am. Level 1, 11am. Child/Parent, 11:30am

Call Seneca Recreation Department at 864/638-2709, or the Seneca Pool at 864/885-2711 to sign up. Price is $50 per session. Private Lessons(including adults) are $30 per half hour by appointment only.

Lifeguard Classes will be held on June 1 thur June 5, 2008 at the Seneca Swimming Pool. The schedule is Sun June 1, 2pm-4pm(swimming pre-test), Monday June 2 thur Thursday June 5, 5pm-9pm. You will need to call Bradley Martin at 864/784-9290 to sign up. The price is $110. You can call us at the Red Cross at 864/638-5619 for additional details.

July 7th-10th, or July 14th-17th: Parent/Child, 6pm. Level 1, 6:30pm. Level 2, 7pm. Level 3, 7:30pm.

Call Westminster Recreation Department at 864/647-3208, or the Westminster Pool at 864/647-3211 to sign up. Price is $50 per session.

You can call Laura Land at 864/886-9208 to arrange for private lessons.