The kickoff to summer is well on its way with Memorial Day weekend just barely in the rearview mirror. Many neighborhood and public pools will be celebrating the opening of the season and nearby lakes and rivers will be full of boats, swimmers and fishers. As the community soaks up the sun and takes a dip in the water, it’s important to practice water safety. Sergeant Lee Brown, an officer of the law enforcement department of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, said that DNR reported 63 drownings across the state in 2017 and has already reported 12 this year. There are many things that community members can do when they are having a day by the pool or lake to make sure they can have a fun and safe summer in the water.