Safety Tips
Stay safe on the water with these tips:
Supervise children at all times
Never leave them unattended near pools, lakes, or rivers.
Wear a life jacket
Wear a life jacket when boating or participating in water activities, especially for children and weaker swimmers.
Learn to swim
Learn to swim and ensure everyone in your household has basic water safety skills.
Avoid alcohol and drugs
Avoid alcohol and drugs while swimming or operating a boat—they impair judgment and reaction time.
Check weather and water conditions
Check weather and water conditions before heading out and be prepared for sudden changes.
Stay within designated swimming areas
Stay within designated swimming areas and follow posted signs and warnings.
Never swim alone
Never swim alone—always use the buddy system.
Be cautious around cold water
Be cautious around cold water—it can quickly lead to shock and hypothermia.
Know your limits
Know your limits and don’t overestimate your swimming ability.
Call for help immediately in an emergency
Call for help immediately in an emergency—dial your local emergency number if someone is in distress.