- Teach your child to swim, but remember that younger children shouldn't be left unsupervised around water even if they know how to swim. The AAP recommends that children under age four not be given formal swimming lessons, especially as a primary means to prevent the risk of drowning.
- Always wear a safety approved life jacket when on a lake, river or ocean while boating, water skiing, jet skiing or tubing.
- Warn your children about playing in canals or other fast moving water.
- Do not let your child play around any water (lake, pool, ocean, etc.) without adult supervision (even if he is a good swimmer).
- Don't allow running or rough play around the water.
- Childproof your swimming pool with a fence around your backyard and a fence (at least 4 feet high) around the pool, with a self-closing, self-latching gate. Also consider having a phone poolside and learning CPR in case of emergencies.
See our guide to Backyard Pool Safety for more information.
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