There's been a rash of drownings in the past few days, from Skaneatles to Waterloo to Knoxville, Pennsylvania. It's raising questions about swim safety. Our Lara Greenberg has more on what parents can do to prepare kids for water activities.

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CORNING, N.Y. -- Whether they're in the pool, the lake or the river, it's important to make sure your kids are having fun and being safe.

"They disappear within seconds. It can happen within seconds."

A Red Cross survey found that 90 percent of families with young kids will be in the water this summer. And almost half of them plan to swim in a place with no lifeguard. But aquatic instructors say that's unacceptable.

"Even if they're in a pool and you're there, don't take them out of your sight. We have a little rule. Keep them within arm's reach. I mean it's easier to reach your child and pull them back to where it's a safe area," said Jeff Pesesky, a Red Cross aquatics director.

They also stress the importance of safety and practice equipment, like lifejackets, floaties and kickboards.

And though it's crucial to make sure your children are wearing the right safety equipment, it's also important to be aware and realistic about their swimming abilities.

"If you want to think they're swimmers. They're really not. They're just capable of moving themselves through the water. So just be realistic," said Chris Newland, the Corning "Y" aquatics director.

Aquatic professionals say there's no right or wrong age to start teaching your kids to swim. For instance, kids as young as six months can start learning to blow bubbles, but swimming comes later. And it's never too early to teach them to be safe.

"I mean, there is no such thing as a drown proofing. You can't do that. But you can always make them better and give them the skills they need to keep themselves safe in and around water," Pesesky.

Both the "Y" and the Red Cross teach swimming and water safety courses.

For more information on classes, head to www.corningymca.org and www.redcross.org.