Be water-safety smart

It’s heating up and many of us are heading to the water to cool down. As we spend more time in pools, rivers, creeks and lakes, May has been designated as National Drowning Prevention Awareness Month to help us mentally prepare for a fun summer. Ten drownings occur every day in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1-4, most of them occurring in home pools. Here are some water-safety tips:

• Never leave children unattended in or near water, even when lifeguards are present.

• If you have a home pool, install fencing with a self-closing hinge to separate the pool area from the house.

• Sign your kids up for swimming lessons. CARD has classes: chicorec.com/swim-lessons.

• Don’t trust water wings, noodles or pool toys to stay afloat. These are not approved safety devices.

• Learn CPR. Several organizations in the county offer low-cost programs.

You can find more information on Butte County’s website: buttecounty.net/publichealth/Programs/InjuryPrevention/Drowning