The American Red Cross recommends the following water safety tips for visiting pools and beaches:
Water Safety Tips
Home Swimming Pool Safety Tips
The NYC Department of Parks and Recreation maintains 14 miles of beaches, which open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. During beach season, lifeguards are on duty daily, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Swimming is prohibited when lifeguards are not on duty and in closed sections. Closed sections are marked with signs and/or red flags.
NYC Beach Restrictions
The Health Department requires the posting of a pictogram that informs swimmers of the dangers of underwater breath-holding behaviors—taking deep breaths, one after the other, before swimming underwater—and of breath-holding contests, to warn and prevent swimmers from engaging in these in these deadly swimming activities.
Download the Dangerous Underwater Breath-Holding Behaviors Pictogram (PDF).
The sign must be constructed of a durable, resilient, water resistant material (such as plastic or metal) and measure at least 17” in width and 22” in height. When reproduced from the image downloaded from the Department’s website it must incorporate the language, color, size of type, imagery and other specifications of the Department’s pictorial design.