Labor Day fun: 5 lifeguard reminders

TEMPE, AZ - Many will be hitting the water parks this Labor Day, enjoying a day off and cashing in on good deals.

But before you head to the water park or even the backyard pool, there are some safety tips from the pros that will help keep you and your family healthy this holiday.

First, when it comes to sunscreen, there are some good rules of thumb to follow, according to Banner Desert Medical Center Nurse Practitioner Pat Pinckard.

• Apply SPF 30 half an hour before you go into the sun.
• Re-apply every time you get out of the pool and every two hours you are in the sun.

When it comes to lotion versus spray, go for the lotion. She says you’ll get better coverage. If you use the spray, make sure you rub it into the skin.

And be generous when applying.

Now for keeping the kids safe around water...

First aid & Lifeguard Supervision at Big Surf Water Park in Tempe Gary Brown has some tricks of the trade.

He says whether you are at Big Surf or a party in your own backyard, it’s key to keep a close eye on your kids.

Lifeguards at Big Surf break the pool up into zones; each taking a zone and scanning it every 10 seconds. Brown suggests you have adults at your gathering do the same, making it everyone’s responsibility to watch the kids around water.