- Make sure that children always swim with a buddy. Swimming alone can be extremely dangerous.

- Tell children never to run, push or jump on others around water.

- Eliminate all potential hazards such as empty buckets, containers and wading pools. Keep toilet lids shut and use toilet locks.

- Install four-sided fencing at least five feet high that completely surrounds all pools, spas, whirlpools and hot tubs. Make sure the fence is equipped with self-closing and self-latching gates.

- Install multiple drains to minimize suction of any one drain and reduce risk of death and injury. Always pin up long hair because it can be sucked into the drains.

- Regularly check that pool drain covers are secure and have no cracks. Know where the manual cut-off switch is in case of emergency.

- Keep rescue equipment, a telephone and emergency numbers by the pool. Pool alarms and covers can offer extra protection but should not be relied on alone.

- Make sure children swim only in designated safe areas of rivers, lakes and oceans, and never leave them unsupervised.

- Outfit all children in a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal safety device around oceans, rivers, lakes or when participating in water sports. "Water wings" or inflatable tubes do not replace life jackets.

- Teach children to never dive into water less than nine feet deep.

- Never allow children age 14 and under to operate a personal watercraft.

- Adults and children over age 13 should learn infant and child CPR.

- If someone falls into the water and is in trouble, do not go after him. Instead, throw him a life ring or life jacket, call out for help and use a stick, paddle or other object to reach out to him.

For more information on water safety, call Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at 404-250-kids, or visit www.choa.org.