As we head into Easter, thousands of people are expected to crowd the beaches, rivers, lakes, and swimming pools of Costa Rica. The Red Cross has published a set of reminders for families who are planning to spend the next few hot summer days near the water.

Most of the advice is common sense, and yet Red Cross volunteers find themselves busy each year responding to situations caused by failure to follow these simple recommendations:

• If you don’t know how to swim, don’t take a risk by carelessly jumping into a body of water you are not familiar with.
• Try to become informed of the depth of the beach, river or lake you will be visiting. Once you get there, check for debris, tree trunks or branches, as they may prove dangerous.
• Be sure to relax for a couple of hours after each meal before jumping in the water. Digestive issues can only become exacerbated in the water, and they may compromise your breathing.
• If you decide to take a barefoot stroll near the sure, watch out for broken glass and other objects that may puncture your skin.
• Playing with an inflatable beach toy or driftwood in river rapids is not recommended, as you may find yourself dragged by strong currents.
• Never leave children unsupervised near the water.
• Even if you are an expert swimmer, don’t enter the water under the influence of alcohol.
• Stay out of the water during thunderstorms.
• Don’t overload recreational vessel and small boats with too many passengers, and don’t attempt to board a motorboat while it is in motion.
• If your vessel capsizes, hang on to it until help arrives.
• Apply sunblock. The UV index is expect to remain elevated in the next few days.
• If you take prescription medications, don’t leave them at home.

The Red Cross will be increasing its field presence with 167 aid stations set up near our busy highways and tourist spots. Lifeguards and emergency medical personnel will be posted at major bodies of water from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Last year, the Red Cross responded to 118 emergency situations during Easter Week, with 57 patients transferred to medical centers. There were 40 fatalities reported last year as a result of Easter Week activities, many of them as a result of road traffic accidents.