Play safe, stay safe in the water

When the scorching summer sun feels like it is actually leaning on your shoulders, there’s no better way to cool off than a fun-filled splash at your favorite water park, pool or lake. But with great fun — whether it’s a simple swim or a cannonball contest — comes great responsibility.

As the summer season approaches with lots of laughs and waterside adventures, it’s important to remember water safety. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were an estimated 3,960 fatal unintentional drownings each year from 2010-19 in the United States. That is an average of 11 drowning deaths per day. For children ages 1 to 14, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury or death after car crashes.

While the numbers are a sobering reminder to be cautious, swimming is a fun and healthy way to spend a summer day. It’s a great way to get a full-body workout and build your cardiovascular endurance. You can put on flippers and do awesome dolphin kicks, play Marco Polo or just relax and float on the surface of the water. The fun and games are endless.

So, when the sight of the bright sunrays bouncing off the clear blue water calls you to dive in, enjoy the splish and the splash. Just remember these do’s and don’ts:

• DO learn to swim. If you like to have a good time doing water activities, being a strong swimmer is a must.
• DO swim in supervised areas, and follow all signs and warnings.
• DO wear a life jacket when boating, jet skiing, water skiing, rafting or fishing.
• DON’T dive into shallow water. If you don’t know how deep the water is, don’t dive.
• DON’T play rough in the water. No pushing or dunking.