Supervise children in or near water.

There should be a responsible adult watching kids while they’re swimming or in the tub. The adult should be close enough to preschool-age children to be able to grab them out of the water at any time.

Set “designated watchers.”

At parties or picnics, assign one adult per one or two specific children, so that each kid always has a dedicated set of eyes on them. Make sure the watchers know not to get distracted by their phones or conversation.

Gear up.

Make sure kids wear life jackets around the water. It’s also important for adults and children to wear life jackets while boating. Learn where to borrow life jackets for free in Washington.

Learn important water safety skills.

Learn basic swimming techniques, as well as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Know the real signs of drowning.

Drowning on TV looks like yelling and splashing. But in real life, drowning is often quick and quiet. See 5 myths about drowning (and 12 signs of the real thing).

Remember that even when the air is warm, many lakes, rivers, and streams in Washington remain cold.

It’s important to be careful as hypothermia (low body temperature) can occur quickly and increase drowning risk.

Don’t mix alcohol and water activities.

Both attention and judgment are impacted, and the consequences can be disastrous.

Protect perimeters.

If possible, install fences and gates around pools.