The American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania has tips to help people safely enjoy their favorite summer activities.

To be safe in and around water, the Red Cross said everybody should be able to enter the water, get a breath, stay afloat, change position, swim a distance and then get out of the water safely. Adults should actively supervise children and stay near young children and inexperienced swimmers. Pools and spas should have barriers able to prevent unsupervised access to water.

Everybody, including experienced swimmers, should swim in areas supervised by lifeguards and stay in pairs near the lifeguard. Adult should actively supervise children even in areas supervised by life guards.

On boats, people should always wear properly fitting life jackets approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Parents can download the Red Cross Swim app, sponsored by The ZAC Foundation, for safety tips, kid-friendly videos and activities, and take the free Water Safety for Parents and Caregivers course online.

Extreme heat is the most dangerous type of severe-weather event in the country, the Red Cross said.

People should become familiar with and have access to advisories and warnings issued by the National Weather Service.

Drinking enough water to stay hydrated is one of the most important steps people can take to prevent heat-related illness.

An average person needs to drink about three-quarters of a gallon of fluids daily. People with certain medical conditions may need to drink more water. Sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks should be avoided in hot weather.

Covering windows with drapes or shades can help keep houses cool. Window reflectors, such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, can reflect heat back outside.  Powered attic ventilators or attic fans can regulate the heat in attics by clearing hot air.  People should place insulation around window air conditioners.

During periods of extreme heat, people should spend a few hours each day in air conditioning to help prevent or reduce heat-related illness. People without air conditioning at home should contact a nearby neighbor, friend or relative who has air conditioning or find a cool place to spend the warmest part of the day during extreme heat. Shopping malls and public libraries are possible locations. Some communities also open cooling centers during extreme heat.

Grilling food is so popular that more than three-quarters of U.S. adults have used a grill, but grilling sparks more than 10,000 home fires each year.

To avoid grill fires, grills should always be supervised when in use, and charcoal starter fluid should never be used on coals that have been ignited.

Grills should never be used indoors or enclosed areas, including campers and tents, and should be kept away from houses, decks and trees. Utensils with long handles should be used when grilling to keep the cook safe. People and pets should be kept away from grills.