20 Things You Should Never Do Around Water

Water is life. It's also no joke. We like to spend summer days near water, but it's important to do it safely. Here are some things to remember when heading out for a splash.

Whether you're near a tub, pool or open body of water, don't turn on anything that plugs in. If a hair dryer or clock radio falls in the water, there's a high probability you're getting electrocuted. Nope.

Pool games are fun, but it's not funny to pretend to drown. Doing so takes adults and lifeguards away from watching out for someone who might really be in trouble. But if you are someday in distress, those same people might think you're playing around again.

It's fun to have cocktails by the pool or lake, but it's dangerous to drink past the point of being in full control of one's self. Getting drunk can lead one to make bad choices near water, which can lead to drowning.

There's nothing more relaxing than a day out on a boat. But if you are a sea-loving person, take a buddy along with you. Otherwise, if you're solo and in distress, no one will know.

Rough-housing of any kind near water can lead to an accident. So it's best to keep the rough play down to a minimum. And never near water.

Even if your child is the next Michael Phelps and is totally water safe, never leave a child unattended near water. Even for a second!

Avoid a long nap by the side of the pool or ocean. You don't want to get sunburned or dehydrated, and you definitely don't want to be in the wrong place during high tide.

It's easy for clothing, a limb or hair to get stuck in a pool drain, making it impossible to swim back up to safety. So when swimming, it's best to avoid pool drains. Kids, too.

Accidents can easily happen near water, so it's best to avoid distraction and keep your focus.

Unless you know how deep a pool or body of water is, don't dive in. You may find it's far more shallow than it looks.

Accidents can happen quickly on slippery surfaces so avoid running near a pool. Reinforce this practice with children, who seem to always be in running mode, much to the frustration of lifeguards everywhere. Whistle!

Whether you're hanging by the pool with friends or keeping an eye on your kids by the lake, it's important to be fully present and focused. That means no drugs, or anything that might alter your ability to stay safe.

With thunder comes lightning. And a good way to get electrocuted is to be near a body of water when lightning strikes. At the first sign of thunder, clear the water. And wait to go back in once the summer storm has passed.

If you're not a skilled or confident swimmer, don't push your luck by trying to keep up with more skilled swimmers. Tides can turn quickly and swimmers tire fast, especially when they are in over their head.

If you're at a beach that has lifeguards on duty, stay close. There's a reason why they're there. If you can't see them, it's likely they cannot see you. And you want them to see you.

If you're tired before you jump in the ocean, think again. Swimming is tiring under the best of circumstances, but starting out fatigued can lead to disaster.

It might sound strange to say it's not safe to chew gum near water, but it's easy to choke on gum. So if you're going for a swim, spit out your gum.

Pool floats and toys can block the view of someone who may not see that a little one has gotten in the pool and is stuck underneath. It's best to keep your pool float- and toy-free when they're not in use.

It's tempting to push a buddy into a pool or lake, but that push could prove dangerous. It's easy to hit one's head on the side of a pool.

Even if it's not a terribly sunny day, if you're hanging around water, you're likely to catch some serious rays. That's because water reflects the sun, making it that much stronger when it bounces off your skin.