As we head to the pool or at the beach this summer to cool down, it’s crucial to keep water safety for yourself and others in mind!
With children, it’s highly recommended to start swim lessons at an early age and having parents put on floaties or life vests on their children when near any water. Parents should also never let their kids swim alone without supervision and ensure they’re following safety measures like they would in other situations.

Some suggestions:
- Never swim or operate a boat after drinking alcohol or using certain prescription medications.
- When operating a boat, always wear a life jacket, have a passenger serve as an additional lookout to spot any potential dangers in the water, and always move at a safe speed.
- Even if you consider yourself a strong swimmer, always swim with someone else nearby if you run into trouble.
- Follow pool rules, such as not diving in shallow water or running on the pool deck.
- If you have a pool at home and small children, there should be fencing around the pool’s perimeter to prevent any accidental falls into the water.
- Check to find out if there are dangerous bacteria levels in lakes, ponds, and rivers before going into those bodies of water.
- Watch out for glass and trash at the pool, beach or lake, to avoid cuts and other injuries.