As the weather starts to heat up, swimming and other water play become the sports of choice. That's when swimming safety should kick into high gear.

Water-safety experts say the biggest threat of drowning comes from children being in or near a friend's or family's swimming pool, where adults become too comfortable with the surroundings and pay less attention to their children's behavior.

To help prevent drownings, adults should enroll children in local swim programs and supervise children at all times while they are in the water or within 100 feet of water.

Residential pools should also have a fence around them that complies with county and city ordinances. When people gather near a pool that was built before these regulations were enacted, adults should be especially vigilant when young children are by the pool.

The YMCA of Santa Clara Valley offers summer swim lessons for all ages—infant through adult—at locations throughout Santa Clara Valley. For more information, call 408.298.3888.