According to the CDC, about 4,000 people die from drowning in the U.S. per year.  Cheddar News reporter Ashley Mastronardi speaks with Red Cross lifeguard instructor Tyler Ranft about some best practices to stay safe in the water this summer.



<div class="block">According to the CDC, about 4,000 people die from drowning in the U.S. per year.  Cheddar News reporter Ashley Mastronardi speaks with Red Cross lifeguard instructor Tyler Ranft about some best practices to stay safe in the water this summer. </div>

Wake Up With Cheddar

Red Cross: How to Stay Safe in the Water This Summer

Also Memorial Day weekend is here, everyone and pools and beaches will be opening across the country. S Ashley Master caught up with the Red Cross to find out how you and your family can stay safe in the water May is National Water Safety Month and pools and beaches across the country will be opening this Memorial Day weekend. And with that comes more potential for accidents. According to the CDC, 4000 people a year die in the United States from drowning deaths. The Red Cross says there's a few safety tips. You can keep in mind to have a safe and enjoyable summer. They say always buddy up with someone you could be accountable to if you're a parent, they suggest getting CPR certified and enrolling your child in swim lessons as early as possible. They also suggest wearing a life jacket if you're on a boat or in a situation beyond your level of skill. They say most importantly in the event of an emergency, you can throw a swim aid to someone in distress, but they say never enter the water that we don't have to get into the water. If they're close enough, we would just pass the item to them and then bring them to safety, bring them to the shore and then we could get them out of the ladder and we could help assist them up out of the water. The Red Cross offers swim lessons nationally. You can check out listings for those and also more water safety tips at Red Cross dot org slash water safety. Ashley Masar Chet News.