It's finally summer! After the fierce winter we had this year, I didn't think we'd ever see the days of warm sunny skies, barefoot walks on the beach, sunkissed faces and evening jumps off the cottage dock. But it's here. It's finally summer! The beauty of the season beckons to us with the promise of hot days and warm nights. Lazy days spent poolside or dockside and swimming with friends for hours on end is the essence of a summer's day. And summer should be carefree, shouldn't it? Of course it should! But we should never turn a blind eye to water safety. Whether you're in your backyard pool, at the lake or the ocean, drowning is very much a possibility. According to the Lifesaving Society, in Canada, drowning is the #1 cause of unintentional injury deaths among children 1-4 years of age, and the second leading cause of preventable death for children under 10 years. July 19-27 is Drowning Prevention Week. Help ensure you and your children enjoy these glorious summer days to the fullest by following these three drowning prevention tips. 1. Never swim alone. Always swim with a buddy and keep within sight and arms reach of children at all times. 2. Never ride in a boat unless there is a life jacket for every passenger, including children. Be sure everyone wears his or her jacket. 3. Don't dive into pools or bodies of water without knowing the depth. Always follow the rules posted on signs nearby. Play safe and have yourselves a fun, enjoyable and safe summer.