Whether you plan to swim at a pool, the beach, or a lake or river, know how to stay safe in the water.

Drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury death in the U.S., and many of these victims are children under the age of 15. Review some tips to help you and your family stay safe in the water.

Find additional information about water safety:

• Pool and Hot Tub Safety
• Beach Safety
• Video on How to Escape a Rip Current
• Preventing Recreational Water Illness

Spending time in the pool is one of the most popular ways to stay cool each summer. Although it seems like all fun and games, remember that water safety is critical. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 3,000 people die from unintended drowning each year.

Use these tips from poolsafety.gov to make sure your day by the pool doesn’t end in tragedy:

• Learn CPR
• Actively supervise children in any size body of water; even the bathtub can be dangerous if left unattended.
• Install anti-entrapment drain covers in your pool and inspect them to make sure they aren’t broken. These devices can keep your hair, limbs, or clothing from being trapped in the pool’s drain and ultimately prevent drowning.

If you plan to spend time boating on open bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, or the ocean, you should take some additional precautions:

• Wear a life vest, even if you know how to swim.
• Check the weather forecast. Thunderstorms and windy conditions can make it dangerous to be in the water.

Learn more about water safety.