There's that sound again - little heels and arches, slapping a bit too quickly upon the concrete surrounding your neighborhood swimming pool. Or maybe you're hearing the sploosh from a prized rock found under the lake, being hurled too closely toward a brother's head. Those are the challenges an adult supervisor faces just from above the water line.

Don’t be discouraged though. Sometimes having fun does take a little work. Spending some time on prevention and preparation can keep the good times rolling throughout the dog days of summer. Here’s a quick reference list of twelve tips for splishin' and splashin' from Baptist Health and the American Red Cross. You can put them to good use and help your family stay on the sunny side of life this summer season.

• Children should never be unattended around water.

• Always remain within arm’s reach. Seconds count when saving a life.

• Children in trouble in the water often make no noise.

• Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.

• Never swim alone.

• It is never safe to play in the water in a drainage ditch.

• Have children and inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jackets.

• Never go tubing or rafting on a river after a heavy rain.

• Avoid alcohol use.

• Install appropriate safety and use barriers around bodies of water at home.

• Set and enforce rules.

• Enroll in Red Cross water safety and first aid classes.

For more on how to step over summer obstacles, see our summer safety series here.