- As temperatures rise, it is important to know that there are ways to cool down.
- The Baxter Memorial Library is a cooling station located in Sharon, and welcomes visitors who would like to cool down on these hot summer days.
- The VT Department of Health has a map of area cooling stations.
- Follow the link to find indoor and outdoor locations: https://www.healthvermont.gov/health-environment/climate-health/hot-weather
- If you are accessing swimming holes, use these tips to stay safer:
- Always swim with a buddy. Never swim alone or allow someone to swim alone.
- Do not leave young children unattended near the water. Never trust a child to watch another child.
- Assign an adult to be a Water Watcher. This person is always watching every swimmer to be sure they are safe, and is not distracted with a cell phone, eating or reading a book.
- Adults can take turns being the “watcher” so the other adults can relax and have fun with the group.
- Drowning is not like in the movies where actors splash about and yell for help. It is swift and silent, so you may not see that a child or adult is in trouble until it is too late. Pay attention.
- Learn to swim, and teach your children to swim. But, even as children gain good water skills, don’t let up on your oversight because they still need supervision from an adult.
- Make sure that others in your group swim in areas appropriate for their swimming ability.
- Always stay within arm’s reach of young children.
- Wear your lifejacket when boating. Weak or non-swimmers should always wear a Coast Guard Approved safety vest when in or around the water
- For more water safety tips, visit https://www.healthvermont.gov/emergency/injury/water-safety-vermont