While many Iowans like to relax and keep cool in area pools and lakes this summer, adults are urged to make safety their first priority to prevent drowning.

Guthrie County Public Health Director Jotham Arber says it’s beneficial for parents to be CPR-trained before going swimming or boating with little ones, “Something else to remember when you are going to some of these summer activities, anytime alcohol is involved it’s important to make sure that we’re not getting into the water in an altered state of mind, so to speak. So making sure we’re being aware of those things, and then life jackets they’re probably the number one thing to do to make sure you’re safe when you’re tubing or what not, make sure those lifejackets are on to keep you above and floating in the water.”

According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, drowning is the leading cause of injury death for children ages 1 to 14, and three children die each day in the U.S. because of drowning. Arber advises to keep children younger than age 5 at an arm’s reach whenever in or around water, and adds it’s never too late for adults to receive swim lessons themselves.