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.

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, 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. Remove access ladders and do not leave toys in and around the pool area. If a child is missing, check the water first and know how and when to call 911.