We are lucky to be surrounded by water in South Florida. Lakes, rivers and, of course, the ocean are what make the area so special, and so much fun in the summer! Before taking that first summer dive, review these important safety reminders:

• Swim only in designated swimming areas, or where a lifeguard is present.
• Children should never be left unattended while near the water. Make sure an adult or older child is present.
• Pools should be securely fenced off from neighborhood children.
• Never dive into water before checking to see how deep it is. This goes for grown ups, too!
• At the beach or lake, avoid steep or rocky banks.
• In the pool, stay away from drains and water jets. Small fingers and toes can easily become stuck in these pool fixtures, which can be very dangerous.

In Case of Trouble

If someone gets into trouble in the water: First, yell for help. Then, throw the person a life ring or other floatation device, or try to reach out to them with the pool-cleaning poll. Never jump into the water to help a person in trouble, because the person could pull you under the water or otherwise injure you.