“What do surfing, fishing, water skiing and swimming all have in common? Besides being fun, they all take place in or on the water,” stated Ocean County Freeholder Deputy Director Gerry P. Little, Liaison to the Ocean County Board of Health. Water activities are great fun and a way to stay cool during the hot weather over the summer. It’s also important as you are getting wet, making waves, etc., that you use common H2O Smartz to stay safe and enjoy.”

Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari, liaison to the Ocean County Department of Business Development and Tourism said water-related activities are a key part of the county’s $4.6 billion tourism industry. “People come to Ocean County because of our beautiful ocean, bays, rivers and lakes,” Vicari said. “We encourage everyone to enjoy the water, but please follow these simple tips to ensure a safe and fun summer season.”

Daniel Regenye, Ocean County Health Department (OCHD) Public Health Coordinator, said, “As much fun as we can have enjoying our beaches and water activities, it is important to watch out for Mother Nature. You want to look out for signs warning that the water you swim in is not clean as polluted water can make you sick. Teach your kids not to swallow water; anytime. You also want to make sure you keep clear of objects in the water like water plants and animals. If you see them, go the other way. We have all heard of the “stinging” jellyfish, which you want to beware of. The Ocean County Health Department website at www.ochd.org, offers tips, right on its Home Page, what to do if you get stung by this type of jellyfish.”

Regenye offers some tips for water enthusiasts:
•Do learn to swim.
•Do take a friend along when swimming or boating, you never know when you may need help.
•Do know your limits – watch out for the “too’s” – too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much activity.
•Do swim where a lifeguard is present and follow all signs and warnings.
•Do where a life jacket when boating.
•Do stay alert to the currents. If caught in a current, don’t fight it. Swim parallel to the shore until you have passed through it.
•Do keep an eye on the weather. Summer storms pop up quickly.
•Don’t mess around in the water.
•Don’t dive into shallow water. If you don’t know how deep, don’t dive.

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