Keeping kids safe while swimming this summer

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Idahoans are fully feeling the summer heat. One of the most popular summer activities to keep cool is to go swimming in a pool or river.

Sergeant Daniel Sperry with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office reminds us of the importance of wearing life jackets when recreating in the water. Sperry says you can receive a life vest violation if it is not up to code.

“You want to make sure you’ve got a vest that’s going to be large enough for you,” Sperry said. “Or that is not so large, you fall out of it.”

The number-one cause of death for children under the age of 5 in the U.S. is drowning (not including mortalities caused by birth defects), says the Idaho Drowning Prevention Coalition. The Coalitions director, Earle Swope says it's mandatory for kids to wear life jackets if they are poor swimmers or can't swim at all.

"If it's any type of water where you can't see the bottom, and so you're unsure of depth changes, life jackets are an absolute must," Swope said.

More information on water safety can be found here.