With the July 4 holiday this week, many people are gearing up to have fun in the water.

However, experts say that precautions should be followed to stay safe.

Bob Ogoreuc, a Slippery Rock University professor and drowning prevention expert, said when it comes to home pools there should be a fence or barrier around the pool. If someone is having a pool party, he said the pool owner should have a designated water watcher to keep an eye on swimmers.

He said home pools should have rescue devices.

For young children, he said parents should use touch supervision, where parents are never more than an arm’s length from their children.

If parents are unsure of their children’s swimming abilities, Ogoreuc said the children should wear a life vest.

“Kids can wear life jackets,” Ogoreuc said. “It’s not just for boating.”

If someone is struggling to stay afloat at a home pool, he said a water watcher or anyone else should let others know what is happening and then try to reach for the swimmer or throw an item to them to assist.

If the situation gets worse, or a swimmer is submerged under water, people should call 911.

Mark Lauer, chief of the Butler County Water Rescue Team, said avoiding alcohol is one of the keys to safe water use.

“One of the most important things is to stay sober,” Lauer said.

He said people should never swim or operate a boat while under the influence.

He also said boaters and many swimmers always should wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device.

Boaters should carry a cell phone in a plastic bag with some air so that the bag will float and the phone stays dry.

If a lifeguard is on duty, Lauer said to always listen to him. Never swim alone, he said, and be aware of surroundings.

“A lot of common sense stuff,” Lauer said.

In lakes and rivers where the bottom of the water cannot be seen or the depth cannot be determined, Lauer said people should never dive in to avoid potential paralysis or serious spinal injury.

Rivers, creeks and streams always should be considered dangerous since they are moving bodies of water, Lauer said. He added that swimmers should be aware of currents and rocks.

Jake Weiland, assistant manager at Moraine and McConnells Mill state parks, said at Moraine, swimming in Lake Arthur only is allowed in the two designated beach areas. Weiland said that the park also permits boaters to “bob” in the water as long as they are wearing a life vest and are within 10 feet of their boat.

At McConnells Mill, no swimming is allowed in the Slippery Rock Creek.

“It’s far too dangerous,” Weiland said.

He said that swimmers and boaters always should wear personal flotation devices and should not drink alcohol.

When it comes to white water boating in the Slippery Rock Creek, Weiland said boaters should be experienced.

“It’s not a beginner’s stream at all,” he said.

If someone falls off a boat, Weiland said it is important that the other people on the boat never jump in after that person.

“Both parties need to stay calm. That’s easier said than done, and I understand that,” Weiland said.

He said that a four-pronged approach, called reach, throw, row and go, should be used.

People on the boat first should try to reach for the person with an arm, paddle or other item. If the person is too far out, boaters should throw any item that floats to the person. Third, they should try to row toward the person. Fourth, they need to go and get help.

For the person who has fallen overboard, Weiland said he needs to be aware of his surroundings and stay afloat.

“That’s the best thing you can do,” Weiland said.

He also said they should attempt to make it to the boat. However, he said that many people overestimate their swimming ability.

Kris Birch of Bellevue, Allegheny County, was at Moraine on Saturday to kayak as a part of Outkast Paddlers of Pittsburgh. She said that the group encourages safe boating.

“We absolutely try to,” Birch said.

She said that the group insists boaters wear a life jacket. Many of them carry radios to stay in contact. Many also carry throw bags and tow lines.

Jim Pansera and Andy Thoma of Ellwood City go fishing every week on Lake Arthur. Pansera said they always carry life jackets, especially for when the water gets cold.

“Your feet will go numb, and you’re done,” Pansera said.

Thoma said that he always is on the lookout for other boats in the water.

“Any more, it really has to be like driving a car,” Thoma said.