BIRMINGHAM, Ala – Drowning is the second leading cause of injury-related death in Alabama. The need for water safety reminders is especially evident after multiple drowning-related deaths in Alabama during Memorial Day Weekend.

“Simple water safety measures can significantly reduce the risk of drowning. When you’re out having fun on the water, remember to practice safety first, especially if you’re with kids,” said Katherine Terry Harper, program manager of the UAB Injury Control Research Center.

The ICRC offers the following safety tips to prevent a potential tragedy this summer:

• Kids need constant supervision around water.
  
  
• Whenever a child is missing, always check the pool first.
  
  
• Set water safety rules for the whole family based on swimming abilities (i.e., inexperienced swimmers should stay in water less than chest deep).
  
  
• Always swim with a buddy; never swim alone.
  
  
• Swim in areas supervised by a lifeguard.
  
  
• Use a feet-first entry when entering the water. Enter headfirst only when the area is clearly marked for diving and has no obstructions.
  
  
• Children or inexperienced swimmers should take precautions, such as wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device (PFD) when around the water.
  
  
• Do not mix alcohol with swimming, diving or boating.
  
  
• Be knowledgeable of the water environment you are in and its potential hazards, such as deep and shallow areas, currents, depth changes, obstructions and where the entry and exit points are located.
  
  
• Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.
  
  
• Know how to prevent, recognize, and respond to emergencies. Learn CPR.