It can be refreshing on a hot day, but that relaxing dip in the pool can quickly turn into a tragic one, especially in Florida.

“Even children who know how to swim, just being able to swim does not drown proof them,” says Michele King, Director of the Child Advocacy Program for Lee Memorial Health System.

The sunshine state has the highest rates of unintentional drownings in the nation for kids between the ages of 1 and 4. King says drowning can almost always be prevented. “An adult should always be supervising. No matter whether children are in or around water.” That means undivided attention. “They’re not on their cell phone. They’re not cooking. They’re not reading a magazine,” adds King.

For gatherings or parties near the pool, King suggests an adult be designated as a water watcher. Wearing a tag that says so can also be symbolic. “We feel this is one of the ways we can visibly help protect children when there’s a large group.”

She also encourages parents to help children get accustomed to the water at an early age through swimming lessons and water safety courses. Parents can also take action by learning CPR in the event of an accident by the poolside.