What Do You Know About Water Safety?

Alcohol use is blamed in about half of all drowning deaths tied to boating accidents. Alcohol affects your judgment, balance, and coordination, the CDC says. You shouldn't operate a boat if you have been drinking. If you fall overboard when drinking, you may not be able to swim to safety or call for help. All 50 states have laws against drinking while boating.

Children should always wear life jackets when they are on boats or near bodies of water. Life jackets should fit securely. They should not be loose. Water wings and other inflatable water toys are not substitutes for life jackets. Choose a life jacket that is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard and appropriate for your water sport.

You should also leave information on who is with you. Be sure to check over your boat before starting out. Check any equipment, the engine, and your fuel supply. Don't start the engine before checking for gasoline fumes in and around the engine area. Know the weather forecast and keep an eye out for sudden changes that may mean a storm is brewing. Have an emergency kit and life jackets for every person.

Children should never be left unattended around water. Most children who drown in pools had been out of sight for 5 minutes or less, the CDC says. If you need to leave to answer a phone or the door, you must have another adult available to watch the children. Or you must take the children away from the pool area. A better idea is to keep a portable phone or cellphone near the pool; having a phone nearby also allows you to call 911 in an emergency. Home pools should be fenced with a locked gate. Fences should have vertical bars to prevent children from climbing over them.

Young children usually don't splash or make noise when they find themselves in trouble in the water. They can drown without making a sound, the Consumer Product Safety Commission says.

Water clarity has nothing to do with depth. You should always check the depth of the water to see if it is adequate for diving. Jumping in feet first or walking into the water is much safer than diving. Keep in mind that murky water may hide underwater objects and plants, as well as unexpected drop-offs.

The ARC advises avoiding drainage ditches and arroyos, both of which carry water run-off. After a rain, ditches and arroyos can quickly fill with water, overpowering even a strong swimmer. It's possible for rain to fall upstream, affecting the drainage ditch, even if it's not raining where you are.

Swim parallel to the shore until you are free of the outgoing current (also called a rip tide). Swimming directly against the current will tire even the best of swimmers. When swimming in the ocean, you should stay within designated swimming areas. Stay away from piers and pilings when in the water. As you swim out from shore, make sure you have enough stamina to return. Pay attention to any warnings posted about water or beach conditions. Never swim alone.

Jet skis and other personal water craft should always travel in groups of 2 or 3 in case of an emergency. Always wear a life jacket when using a jet ski. Keep an eye out for swimmers and other boats. Travel at a slow speed when near the shore, swimming areas or docks.

Heavy rains can make certain waterways dangerous, with swift currents and flash floods. Always wear a life jacket when tubing or rafting and keep an eye on the weather. Get out of the water if a storm is threatening.