Now that it is eighty degrees and school is over, people have water-based activities on their minds whether it is a beach, lake, or waterpark trip. We all have places to go. However, even the most advanced swimmers are never completely safe in the water, anything can happen. As days are spent near the water, everyone should do what they can to make sure they are as safe as possible. Read on to learn more about why water safety is important and ways to minimize the risk of drowning even with a lifeguard present.

Healthy Tip Tuesday is brought to you in partnership with Trinity Health Systems.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 4 and is the second leading cause of unintentional death in ages 5 to 14.

Develop Water competency is essential to improve water safety by avoiding dangers, developing water safety skills, and knowing how to prevent and respond to drowning emergencies

• being water smart
• swimming skills
• helping others.

Everyone needs to be water smart even if we do not plan to go for a swim. This includes knowing your limitations, never swimming alone, wearing a life jacket, understanding unique water environments, and swimming sober.

Learning to perform these five swimming skills in every type of water environment can help save a life:

1. Enter water that is over your head and calmly return to the surface
2. Float or tread water for at least one minute
3. Turn over or turn around in the water
4. Swim at least 25 yards (one length in a standard pool)
5. Be able to exit the water

How can a person help others:

• Pay close attention to children or weak swimmers
• Learn the signs of active drowning and how to safely assist
• CPR and first aid

Drowning isn’t splashy and loud as many people think it is. Unfortunately, it’s the opposite; someone could be drowning a few feet away, and you would not know it; drowning is often silent. It’s important to learn the seven warning signs that someone is drowning.

Consider these ideas to be safe around water this summer:

• Designate an adult to be a water watcher – eliminate distractions such as long conversations, cell phone usage, or reading.
• Create family swim rules and utilize swim buddies of similar age and skill.
• Utilize U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejackets that fit!