Health Tip: Help Prevent Drowning

(HealthDay News) -- Drowning is the fifth-leading cause of unintentional death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC offers these suggestions to help reduce the risk of drowning:

• Adults should always carefully supervise children around any body of water -- including a bathtub. Avoid any distractions, such as reading or talking on the phone.

• Everyone should always swim with a buddy.

• Everyone should take formal swimming lessons, especially young children.

• Anyone with a seizure disorder should be carefully supervised around water.

• Always wear a life jacket when on a boat.

• Always build a barrier around pools to protect children, even if they know how to swim.

• Don't substitute water toys for life jackets.

• Never drink alcohol while boating, swimming or supervising children in the water.

• Never let children hold their breath for an extended period under water.