Statistics show that drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury and death for children ages one to four, and that drowning can occur in as little as two inches of water.

Maribeth Chitkara, Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Pediatric Hospitalist, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, is one of Long Island’s most committed advocates for summer safety, and shares the steps parents can take to keep the entire family safe all summer long.

'The most single most important thing is to never take your eyes off children who are in the water,' says Dr. Chitkara. 'Not even for a few seconds. Nine out of 10 drowning deaths occur when a caregiver is supervising but not paying attention.'

If you are at a party or with a group of people, Dr. Chitkara says to have what the Long Island Drowning Prevention Task Force calls a 'designated water-watcher.' Designate one person to keep a watchful eye on the children and rotate the assignment every 20 minutes or so to keep the watcher fresh. 'It is important to keep an eye on children and especially toddlers when around any kind of water - small kiddie pools, toilets, buckets of water when washing the car and the like.'

Some other water safety tips that Dr. Chitkara offers:

• If a lifeguard is present, never assume that he or she will serve as your eyes.

• Always keep a phone near the pool.

• If you have a pool, complete four-sided isolation fencing can prevent 50 to 90 percent of child drownings or near drownings.

• You may consider investing in safety covers for pools, whirlpools and spa tubs.

• If you have an infant or toddler, use a toilet seat lock.

• Keep in mind that water reflects the sun’s rays. For protection against harmful rays, be sure to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more. Reapply frequently, especially after going into the water.

• If you will be outdoors for a good part of the day, be sure to stay hydrated to prevent heat stroke or exhaustion - especially if you are also exercising. Water is the best source of hydration for the body, and a good rule of thumb to remember is the '8 x 8' and '10 x 10 rule': Women should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily and men should drink ten 10-ounce glasses daily.