When the weather is great, and sometimes even when it isn't, kids love to be in the water. Whether in an indoor or outdoor pool, at the lake or at the beach, swimming is a favored activity. However, it's essential to keep kids safe when they are in or near the water. All it takes is a slip for a fatal accident to happen. Drowning is one of the major causes of death for children under 14. Kids can drown in a couple of minutes and in only a couple of inches of water. Taking the right precautions means that kids can have fun in the water while remaining safe. Here are some tips on water safety for kids.

Water Safety for Young Children
Young children are the most at risk, as they are more likely to get into trouble and less likely to be able to swim. Toddlers aged one to three can drown in only a few inches of water, so you need to supervise them at all times. Flotation devices can be helpful, but these must conform to safety standards, and these are not a substitute for constant adult supervision. Even older children require active supervision so you can act as soon as it looks like they might be in trouble.

Swimming Lessons
One of the best ways to keep your kids safe in the water is to make sure that they learn to swim. Young children can follow programs to build their confidence in the water, while children over four can learn swimming skills. This doesn't mean that they will be able to use them in an emergency, so you still need to be vigilant. Keep toys out of the pool when it's not in use so that young children won't be tempted to go in without you.

A key tip when thinking about water safety for kids is that they should always swim with a friend, rather than swimming alone. This means that there will always be someone to notice if there is trouble. Children should swim in places where a lifeguard is on duty and should swim in water that is suitable for their skill level. New swimmers should not go into water that rises higher than the chest.