Part one of a six-part series on summer safety.

Water safety is probably one of the most important things of which to be aware in the summer; water accidents are the most preventable tragedies.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death in kids under the age of 14, with kids less than 4 years old being the most at risk. And for every child that dies of drowning there are three others who suffer permanent brain damage from near-drowning accidents.

People have the misconception that they will hear thrashing and splashing and a call for help, but in actuality kids just silently slip under water. Their air passages fill with water and they can’t make any sounds. Almost three-quarters of the drowning cases in children are the result of a short lapse in adult supervision or attention.

So never, even for a minute, turn away from a niece or nephew in the water. Drowning can happen in an instant.

Other water safety tips to keep in mind:

-Don’t think that swimming lessons or flotation devices can substitute for good adult supervision.

-Obey "no diving" signs in pools and "no swimming" signs at the beach or lakes if posted.

-Watch for uncovered pool drains and report them, as hair and limbs can get caught in them.

-Know your swimming limit as well as those of your nieces and nephews and stay within them.

-Consider taking a first aid or CPR course.

Published: June 14, 2010