Safe Swimming

It’s important to know and practice water safety weather you’re at the pool or our beautiful beaches! Practice SMART swimming.

SMART stands for:

Swim with a buddy: Always swim with at least one other person, so you can help each other in case of an emergency.

Monitor: Swim within monitored areas and do not go beyond restricted areas Check the weather forecast before going swimming or participating in water activities. Avoid swimming in stormy conditions or when there are strong currents.

Adult Supervision: Children should always be supervised by a responsible adult who knows how to swim and is attentive to swimmers.

Rescue Equipment; Have appropriate rescue equipment nearby, such as life jackets, reaching or throwing devices, in case someone needs help.

Train: Learn basic water safety skills, including how to float, tread water, and perform CPR. Knowing these skills can make a significant difference in an emergency.

It’s also important to know beach water quality safety. During the summer, the North Shore Health Department conducts beach water testing in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Beach testing is conducted twice weekly (Mondays and Thursdays) from Memorial Day to Labor Day. NSHD tests the beach water for E.coli and will inform the public if it is safe to swim or not. Click the button to learn more about beach testing and what the different water quality signs posted at the North Shore beaches mean. Click here to view Wisconsin DHS website to learn more about safe swimming.