It’s officially summer, and you know what that means: It’s time to swim.

It’s also time for a few reminders about how to stay safe in the pool, lake or wherever else you might go for a dip.

Here are our top 10:

1. Supervise your children.

“Parents need to be around watching,” says Jenny Tudor, aquatics supervisor at the St. Joseph YMCA. “A lot drop their kids off at pools and let the lifeguards babysit, and that’s a big safety issue.”

2. Invest in swimming lessons — for your children and, if necessary, for you.

The YMCA offers parent-child classes for children as young as 6 months, and all children should have started lessons by the time they’re 7, Ms. Tudor says. But for those who don’t get around to learning to swim until later in life, adult classes and private lessons are available.

3. Look before you leap (or dive).

In a pond or lake where you may not be able to see the bottom, be wary of rocks or other sharp objects and — especially — of diving.

And in a pool, dive only in areas marked for it, notes Melissa Ferguson, aquatics coordinator at the St. Joseph YWCA.

4. Think snug when it comes to life jackets.

“I think sometimes parents buy life jackets a little big, thinking they want them to last a couple of seasons,” Ms. Ferguson says, “but that’s really not the best idea.”

And life jackets aren’t important only for children, Ms. Tudor adds, noting that anyone who’s not a strong swimmer should wear one, as should everyone out on a small boat.

5. Keep safety equipment close by.

Even if it’s an old milk jug with a rope tied to it instead of a real lifesaver, it’s better for saving someone who’s drowning than trying to swim them to safety yourself — even if the person in need of aid is a child.

“Children who are drowning tend to cling to or climb on you,” Ms. Ferguson says, “and most adults, even good swimmers, can’t tread water well enough to save a child. That’s why double drownings are such a problem.”

6. Patronize pools that staff competent lifeguards — or maybe consider becoming one yourself.

“Our best feature for safety around the water is tremendous lifeguards,” says Ron Selkirk, manager at Saint Joseph Tennis and Swim Club.

But it’s not a given that great lifeguards always are in abundant supply. Due to a lifeguard shortage, the YWCA will offer a Red Cross lifeguard instructor class next month that will train instructor candidates to teach basic-level lifeguarding and a number of other skills, Ms. Ferguson says. For more information, see Healthcare Notes below.

7. Use the buddy system.

It’s best to swim somewhere there’s a lifeguard on duty. However, if there isn’t one at your swimming site, make sure you don’t go swimming alone, Ms. Ferguson says.

8. Ensure pools and hot tubs are up to code.

This includes seeing that they follow the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, Ms. Tudor says, which was passed in 2007 in response to severe injuries incurred from drains. The act requires that public pools and spas to be fitted with certain equipment that is intended to prevent death or injury caused by entrapment, evisceration or entanglement. If a drain cover is damaged or missing, alert a manager.

9. Don’t drink and dive.

Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance and coordination and also affects your swimming and diving skills and reduces your body’s ability to stay warm, according to the American Red Cross. In addition, chewing gum or eating while swimming puts you at greater risk of choking.

10. Slather on the sunscreen.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends applying sunscreen about 30 minutes before being in the sun, then reapplying after swimming. Also, look for a kind that is waterproof.

Lifestyles reporter Erin Wisdom can be reached at ewisdom@npgco.com.