Swimming can provide hours of fun, especially when it’s hot outside. But fun doesn’t always mean safe. Drowning is the second leading cause of death in children ages 14 and under worldwide! So before you get into the water, here are some things you should keep in mind.

In Macoupin County, Carlinville Pool and Virden Pool both offer swimming lessons in the summer.

Even Children who know how to swim should never be left alone in or around water, even for a moment.

While playing in the water can be fun, if you start to feel tired, uncomfortable, or sore, it’s time to get out and rest. If you are a new swimmer, don’t try to keep up with the experienced swimmers. If you are an experienced swimmer, recognize your body’s signals that it needs to rest.

While teens have the most accidents diving, kids and adults can also suffer severe head, neck, and spinal damage from it too. Pay extra close attention if there are "No Diving" or "No Swimming" signs posted. If there are no signs posted, walk out into the water to test how deep it is to determine if it is safe enough to dive into.

The sun reflects off of water and sand. So the next time you are planning on going swimming or laying by the water, remember to put on sunscreen often and thick.

It's always a good idea to wear a life jacket, regardless of whether you are a good swimmer or not, or whether the boat is a large speedboat or a canoe. Wearing a life jacket is like wearing a helmet while biking. It may take a few minutes to get used to it, but it definitely can be a lifesaver. Don't get onboard without it.