According to the Insurance Information Institute, every year about 43,000 people are injured in and around swimming pools and more than 600 people drown in home or public pools. But half of pool fatalities occur in the yards of single-family homes.

Eleven Pool Safety Tips from the Insurance Information Institute:

1. Be Aware. Never leave small children unsupervised–even for a few seconds.

2. Protect. Put fencing around the pool area to keep people from using the pool without your knowledge.

3. Avoid Hazards. Keep children away from pool filters, as the suction force may injure them or prevent them from surfacing.

4. Knowledge. Be sure all pool users know how to swim. Learners should be accompanied by a good swimmer.

5. The Buddy System. Don’t swim alone or allow others to swim alone.

6. Remove Hazards. Check the pool area regularly for glass bottles, toys or other potential accident hazards.

7. Electricity. Keep CD players, radios and any other electrical devices away from pools or nearby wet surfaces.

8. No Drinking and Diving. Don’t allow anyone who has been drinking alcohol to use the pool.

9. Stormy Weather. Stay out of the pool during rain or lightning storms.

10. Look Before You Leap. Never dive into an above-ground pool and check the water depth before plunging into an in-ground pool. Keep clear of the area near a diving board.

11. Practice Caution. Don’t swim if you’re tired or have just finished eating.