CLEVELAND — Memorial Day weekend is coming up, and pools across the state will quickly become crowded, bringing the need for water safety to mind.

While there is nothing quite like splashing through the water on a hot summer day, for parents, a trip to the pool with their kids can sometimes be nerve-wracking.

“The leading cause of death in children ages 1-4 is accidental drowning, and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death in children ages 5 to 14 also drowning according to the Centers for Disease Control,” said Jim Mcintyre with the American Red Cross Northern Ohio.

But Mcintyre said it does not have to be that way.

He said the best way to prevent drowning is through swim lessons.

“The Red Cross and its training providers help more than 2.5 million people learn how to swim every year with swim lessons that are held at centers across the country,” Mcintyre said.

But those lessons are just the first step.

Three-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer Rowdy Gaines said even if a child knows how to swim, there are several other steps that can go a long way to keep them safe.

“Creating barriers is very important, making sure you have the proper fencing, making sure you’re eliminating those toys in your pool, those floaties in your pool, learning CPR, having a first responder type plan, a water watchers at parties,” Gaines said.

These lessons keep Gaines passionate about his work with the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance. 

He said drownings can happen in a matter of seconds, and that most of them happen in front of an adult. 

“Eighty to 90% of drownings happen when an adult is present, so you gotta watch your kid at all times,” Gaines said. “That’s the number two thing, put your kid in swim lessons, and never take your eye off your child. Never, ever, ever, even when there’s a lifeguard around.”