Swimming is a top recreational activity that everyone loves to do during summer. It is important for everyone, and most importantly the children, to know how to be safe while in the water. Do you know that drowning is one of the leading cause of deaths for children ages 1 to 4?

Here are some top swimming safety tips from the American Red Cross to keep your summer swimming fun and also safe.

• Never swim alone! Always swim with a buddy.
• Swim only where lifeguards can actively see you. Don’t swim in a pool without one!
• Never leave your children unattended near the water. Teach them to ask permission before going to or near the water.
• Make sure everyone in the family learns how to swim. Enroll in a swimming lesson. Even basic swimming techniques can help you a lot.
• Secure your pool area with a barrier or pool safety fence to prevent children from going to the pool without your supervision. Add alarms or locks on doors and windows that has direct access to your pool area.
• Always keep an eye on your children around the pool area. It will only take a single distraction for something unexpected to happen.
• If your child is missing, check the pool water immediately. Every seconds count!
• Always have an equipment in handy like first aid kit, life jackets, reaching pole. You’ll never know when you might need them.
• Protect your skin from the sun. Wear a sunscreen with a minimum of 15 protection factor. Limit your sun exposure when swimming from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
• Hydrate yourself, drink plenty of water. Avoid caffeine or alcoholic drinks.

Source: Red Cross