Summer has just begun and temperatures are already beginning to soar. With little to no relief in sight, many families are heading to pools, lakes, and rivers, and partaking in boating activities to keep cool. But while the excitement and relief of a dip in the water can help calm the nerves of even the testiest children, there are dangers lurking below the surface that parents need to be aware of right now.

Almost 800 children drown in the U.S. every year; and of those deaths, two thirds occur during the months of May through August, according to SafeKids.org. Among unintentional injuries, drowning is the leading cause of death for children 1-4 years old, the second leading cause of death for children 5-14 years of age, and the third leading cause for children under 1 and teens 15-17.

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And while these statistics may seem scary (because they are), there are many ways to keep your kids safe in the water and still enjoy the summer months.

Safety tips in the warm weather. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated its position on water safety and drowning prevention in 2010. The new evidence shows that children ages 1 to 4 may be less likely to drown if they have formal swim instruction.

The AAP says the decision to enroll a child over age one in swimming lessons should be made by the parent based on the child’s development readiness and exposure to water, but swimming programs should never be seen as “drown-proofing” a child of any age.

Too many parents become overconfident about their kids’ ability to survive in the water after mastering a few lessons, and often relax their supervision and adherence to safety rules. Because of this, the AAP has outlined important information for parents and other adults who take kids near the water.

Here are eight highlights of the water safety tips they’ve published:

1.) Never leave children alone in or near water, even for a moment; close supervision by a responsible adult is the best way to prevent drowning in children.

2.) Do not use air-filled swimming aids (water wings) in place of life jackets. They can deflate and are not designated to keep swimmers safe.

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Additionally, don’t rely on inflatable toys, pool noodles, or floating loungers to be life preservers. The only safe flotation device is a well-fitting Coast Guard-approved life jacket.

3.) Less experienced swimmers and children under age 5 in or around water should have an adult — preferably one who knows how to swim and perform CPR — within arm’s length, providing what’s called “touch supervision.”

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4.) Never let kids swim alone. Even good swimmers need buddies. And never leave small children alone or in the care of another young child.

5.) Designate a “water watcher” when you are in or around water.

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6.) Because drowning can be quick and quiet, the water watcher should pay constant attention, be undistracted, and be uninvolved in any other activity such as reading or on the phone, while supervising, even if lifeguards are present.

7.) All children should wear a lifejacket when riding in a boat. Small children and non-swimmers should also wear one at the water’s edge, such as a river bank or pier.

8.) If you have a pool, install a four-sided fence that is at least four feet high to limit access to the pool.

Sara Hermanson is a freelance writer in Washington State whose focus is health, wellness, fitness and parenting.