An afternoon at the pool or beach is a great way to escape summer heat  Understanding the risks of being around water and following some basic safety rules greatly reduces your chance of injury or drowning  Follow these tips to keep you and the young swimmers in your life safe in the water

Learn to swim  This might seem obvious, but the best way you can stay safe around water is to know how to swim  Teach your children to swim at an early age — you can start them in classes as early as age 4  Enroll them in classes that stress proper technique and injury prevention  And if you're the one who doesn't know how to swim, it isn't too late  Community facilities, such as the YMCA or YWCA, often have adult classes  Learning to swim and learning how to be safe around water is your best defense against drowning 

Use life jackets  A Coast Guard-approved life jacket is essential for safety, especially for beginning swimmers or young children  Don't substitute air-filled devices — such as water wings or an inflatable raft for a life jacket  If such devices suddenly shift position or deflate, a novice swimmer will be in trouble 

Supervise children closely  Keep an eye on your children at all times when they're near or in the water  Be vigilant — distractions such as talking on the phone and reading a book take your attention away from the kids at play  Never let small children swim alone
Avoid unsupervised areas  Whenever possible, swim in an area that has a lifeguard 
Don't dive into the unknown  If you're swimming in a new place, check the water depth before getting in and avoid diving  Severe neck injuries and paralysis can result from diving into water that's too shallow  Play it safe with this rule: Never dive into an unknown body of water
Avoid alcohol  Stay sober in the water  Alcohol affects your balance and coordination and can impair your swimming skills  It may also alter your sense of judgment — which might lead you to do something that you wouldn't risk otherwise