RALEIGH - Summer means warm weather and plenty of time spent cooling off at the pool, but this means many potential safety hazards for children. Kelly Ransdell, executive director for Safe Kids North Carolina, says there are many ways to keep kids safe around pools, lakes, oceans, and even hot cars this summer.

Ransdell says that adults should constantly supervise kids when they go swimming and have an emergency plan, such as knowing CPR and having lifesaving equipment. “Constant supervision is really an important step any time children are in pools or spas. The reason for that is that children have a tendency to not react when they’re in distress.”

In addition, owners of residential pools should take necessary steps to enclose it. Ransdell says that people need to make sure “that you have four-sided fencing and self-locking gates on it. The reason for that is so that small children can’t access that pool without help from an adult.”

North Carolina also has many lakes and rivers and a beautiful coastline for vacationers to enjoy. But deep, murky water can be dangerous for younger children and inexperienced swimmers. Kelly Ransdell says that the buddy system is also important for older children and that kids should always wear Coast Guard approved life-jackets when boating.

Warmer weather means hot car temperatures too, which is extremely dangerous for young children. Ransdell says to "never leave a child in a vehicle unattended ever. If you see a child in an unattended car, call 911. Fire and police would rather come and everybody be ok then for someone to walk away and not act. So [we’re] really asking people to act and help save a life."

For more safety tips, visit ncsafekids.org.