Summer is a great time to travel, enjoy the warm outdoors, swim, go boating and lie on the beach. But all that fun is not hazard-free.

Deaths due to drowning are estimated at 450,000 per year worldwide. Thousands more are injured or killed in boating accidents. By taking some simple and common-sense precautions, you can have a wonderful vacation and stay safe.

Select areas that have good water quality and safe natural conditions. Murky water, hidden underwater objects, unexpected drop-offs and aquatic plant life are hazards. Water pollution can cause health problems. Strong tides, big waves and strong currents should be avoided. If you are unable to check the depth, avoid swimming and diving. Be aware of the surface on the bottom before you enter the water. A feet-first entry is safer than diving in headfirst.

A rip tide or undertow is a small but strong channel of water moving out to sea. Rip tides are characterized by darker, deeper and foamier water, sometimes with floating debris. The area with the rip tide is usually calm with a rippled surface and smaller waves. These strong currents are rarely more than 100 feet wide. If you get caught in a rip tide, stay calm and do not swim against it. If you are a strong swimmer, swim parallel to the shore until you are past the current and then swim to shore. If you are a weak swimmer, signal to the lifeguard and either float with the current or continue to tread water until help arrives. Use a flotation device if you attempt to rescue someone. Familiarize yourself with the rip tide warning system, the most common of which are red flags.

Red tide can make swimming unpleasant but is not really a health hazard. Red tide is a form of algae. Most red tide algae species are not harmful but a few pose a threat to shellfish eaters. Shellfish, including clams, mussels, oysters and scallops, filter the water around themselves in order to find food. In the process, they may ingest algae that is harmful to humans. The algae’s toxin then becomes concentrated in the shellfish.

In New England, shell-fishing waters routinely are screened for dangerous levels of the algae, and strict laws prohibit fishing in algae-prone areas. Digging for shellfish in illegal areas carries hearty fines and potential health risks.

Jellyfish are common in all waters. Each jellyfish tentacle can house millions of stinging cells, called nematocysts, which eject a barbed thread and sometimes poison. Contrary to popular belief, jellyfish do not consciously sting their victims. Barbs are automatically released when an object comes in contact with the cells of the jellyfish. Dead jellyfish also can be hazardous to beachgoers, so avoid them, too.

Jellyfish stings can be serious but are seldom fatal. Usually symptoms include a burning sensation, redness, welts and swelling of the lymph nodes. In rare cases, a jellyfish sting may induce anaphylactic shock and require hospitalization.

If you are stung by a jellyfish, immediately call the lifeguard. Use an object to brush off any tentacles. Do not use your hands unless you are wearing gloves. Pour vinegar over the wound to disable the stinging cells. If vinegar is not available, rinse the wound with seawater or saline solution. This may reduce the pain by neutralizing the stinging cells. Ice the area to minimize the pain.

The primary causes of boating accidents are inattention, carelessness, inexperience, unsafe speeds and failure of the operator or passenger to watch for possible hazards. Completing a boating education course through the Red Cross or U.S. Coast Guard greatly reduces your risk of danger.

Alcohol use while boating affects judgment, vision balance and coordination. U.S. Coast Guard data reveals that in fatalities involving alcohol, more than half of the victims capsized their watercrafts, fell overboard or collided with another boat or stationary object.

Boat fatalities other than those from drowning are usually due to trauma, hypothermia, carbon monoxide poisoning from a poorly ventilated gasoline engine or generator, burns or electrocutions. To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, be aware of the risk, ensure proper ventilation, properly installed and maintained equipment, and utilize CO detectors, especially in living and sleeping areas.

The use of life jackets can save lives for all boat occupants. Newer Coast Guard-approved life jackets are now more attractive and comfortable to wear. When fitted properly, a life jacket or personal flotation device can prevent a tragedy.

Follow these tips and have a safe and happy vacation. For more information visit www.cdc.gov or www.americanheart.org.

Life Guard

Never swim alone
Make sure water is at least 9 feet before jumping in or at least 15 feet before diving in
Do not mix alcohol or drugs with water sports. Each year up to half of all adult drownings are linked to alcohol use
Only swim at beaches where lifeguards are present
Stay out of the water if strong winds or a storm is predicted
Stay within the sights of a lifeguard and within the designated areas for swimming
If you use a flotation device, take care to always be in control of it
If you are not an expert swimmer, stay close to shore or in waist-level water
Children should be supervised at all times when they are in or around the water