Here are some general water safety tips provided by the American Red Cross:
First and foremost, learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. Always swim with a buddy; never swim alone. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for all age groups and swimming abilities.
Children or inexperienced swimmers should take precautions, such as wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device (PFD) when around the water.
Watch out for the "too's" - too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity, too much alcohol.
Set safety rules for the whole family based on swimming abilities, (for example, inexperienced swimmers should stay in water less than chest deep).
Be knowledgeable of the water environment you are in and its potential hazards, such as deep and shallow areas, depth changes, obstructions and where the entry and exit points are located.
Pay attention to the weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.
Do not mix alcohol with swimming, diving, or boating. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination, affects your swimming and diving skills, and reduces your body's ability to stay warm.
Know how to prevent, recognize, and respond to emergencies. Do you know CPR? If not, learning how to perform CPR could save a life. Contact your local American Red Cross for information about CPR training classes.