UPDATE: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - With warm weather upon us, many people are choosing to cool off in the water. While the water is a great place to cool off it can also be dangerous, so water safety is a must.

Summer is here, and this has boaters and beach goers alike, outside, in the sun, and in the water. At times, the water can be unpredictable and dangerous, so safety is a top priority. When heading out this Summer, be sure to keep some of these tips in mind.

"You never know there might be some hidden drop offs. Here at Lake Lansing there's not, it's a nice and gradual slope, but parents just keep an eye out on your children, and adults if you don't know how to swim, don't get into deeper water past your waistline." - Pat Witte, Lake Lansing Park Manager

Paying attention to your children and knowing your own swimming ability as a swimmer are some vital first steps to water safety and go a lot further than one might imagine. Amateur swimmers who find themselves in waters they're not comfortable in can panic quickly, so always know your limit.

When heading out to the water, you should always go with a friend and even though parks like the one at Lake Lansing South do have lifeguards, parents should never leave children unsupervised.

"The main thing out here at Lake Lansing, we do have a life guarded beach, but it's very important for the parents to understand that our lifeguards are not babysitters. That is the main fault a lot of people have, they want to drop off children and have children, supervised children." - Pat Witte, Lake Lansing Park Manager

As you begin your day in the sun, make sure you're fully prepared for the heat and any weather changes that may occur. Sometimes people forget about the small things that make a world of difference.

"You can get dehydrated quick even though you're in a huge body of water. You would be amazed the number of people that don't drink and keep themselves hydrated and get heat stroke." - Sergeant Dan Sump, Ingham County Sheriff

If you're able to follow most of these guidelines, you're well on your way to a safe day in the water.

ORIGINAL STORY: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Tune in to Meridian Magazine on Monday, June 27th for tips on how to stay safe in the water this Summer.