Many people will be heading to the waterways across the region this Bank Holiday weekend.
August is the most popular month for outdoor swimming, according to Irish Water Safety.
Drownings often happen quickly and silently with 80 percent of occuring relatively close to the victim's home.
There were 122 drownings last year, 91 of whom were male.
Speaking to Beat News Chief Executive of Irish Water Safety John Leech says, "swim at the lifeguarded waterways, they're on iws.ie - 135 nationwide.
Otherwise swim at traditional bathing areas where you can swim within your depth, swim always parallel to the shore, don't use inflatable toys.
Pay attention to the signs on the beach, don't swim in the dark or late at night, don't stay too long in the water - particularly for young children.
We would say please supervise young children at all times."
