The American Red Cross Northeast PA Region offers these water safety tips for the summer.

Besides taking age-appropriate swimming lessons, there are important tips to follow to ensure safety while having fun in and around the water. Peter M. Brown, regional CEO said, "By making water safety your priority, you can deter and eliminate water-related accidents from happening and have a fun and enjoyable summer."

Follow these important safety tips: swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards; always swim with a buddy; ensure everyone in your family can swim well; never leave a young child unattended near water and do not trust a child's life to another child; young children and inexperienced swimmers should wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket; be cautious around natural bodies of water and do not swim in areas not approved for swimming; if boating, wear a life jacket; and avoid alcohol use.

In addition, for homes with pools, make sure safety rules are followed. This includes installing a pool alarm and using a safety cover on your pool when not in use. For above ground pools, remove access ladders and do not leave toys in and around the pool area.

Knowing what to do in an emergency can make a difference when seconds count. If a child is missing, check the water first and know how and when to call 9-1-1.

To learn more, enroll in Red Cross courses such as: home pool safety, water safety, first aid and CPR/AED courses as well as Red Cross certified swimming lessons.