RED MEANS STOP
Red flags near the lifeguard stand indicate the water is too rough for swimming.
KNEE DEEP IS TOO DEEP
If a child isn't a good swimmer, don't let the water go above their knees in the water.
BOOZE AND SWIMMING DON'T MIX
Alcohol is a leading cause of drownings
KEEP YOUR EYES ON KIDS AT ALL TIMES
It only takes 30 seconds for a child to fall into a drowning state, said Boyd who suggest designating someone to watch the kids in the water.
DON'T FIGHT A RIP CURRENT
Instead, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current and if you can't escape float and tread water or wave for help, the Parks Department advises.
CALL 311 BEFORE HEADING TO THE SHORE
The all-purpose hotline can point you to wave conditions and pending storms, or they can be found at www.nyc.gov/health, said Boyd.
SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN
Slather on sunscreen that is SPF 15 and higher, skip rays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and wear a hat with a 3-inch brim to avoid burning, according to Roya Samuels, a pediatrician at Cohen Children's Medical Center in New Hyde Park, L.I.
DON'T RELY ON FLOATIES
They give a false sense of security but they aren't buoyant enough to carry a child on their own, so doctors advise parents to use a life vest.