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Unfortunately, more than 300 children under the age of 5 drown in residential swimming pools each year in this country. Drowning is the third leading cause of accidental death of children age 14 and under. Each year nearly 1200 children drown and another 5000 are hospitalized due to near drowning. Most of these accidents could be avoided. The American College of Emergency Physicians recommends:
 

• Always swim with a buddy, never alone.
• Know how to swim, teach young children.
• Make sure the pool or body of water is deep enough before diving in.
• If you can’t swim or you are around water or in a boat, always wear a lifevest.
• Know CPR.
• Fence all home pools.
• Don’t mix alcohol and water sports -- ever.
• Don’t leave any children unsupervised when they are around water -- that includes the bath tub.
• When going out on the water in boats and watercraft, know the distress signals and how to call for help. Always tell someone where you are going when boating, and when you expect to return.
• If you are vacationing near the shore, find out about tidal conditions. Avoid any "posted" beach areas that are not supervised by lifeguards, and watch out for "riptides." An encounter with stinging water creatures like jellyfish that can really ruin your trip. Know what to do -- or where to get help -- if you "find" one unexpectedly.