Electric safety in water: The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is reminding people about potential electrical hazards that exist in swimming pools, hot tubs and spas, onboard boats and in waters surrounding boats, marinas, and launch ramps.

Each year, people are injured or killed from these hazards.

Electric shock drowning happens when marina or onboard electrical systems leak electric current into the water. The current then passes through the body and causes paralysis. When this happens, a person can no longer swim and ultimately drowns.

Here are tips for swimmers, pool and boat owners:

Tips for swimmers:

— Never swim near a marina, dock or boatyard, or near a boat while it’s running.

— While in a pool, hot tub or spa, look out for underwater lights that are not working properly, flicker or work intermittently.

— If you feel a tingling sensation while in a pool, immediately stop swimming in your current direction. Try and swim in a direction where you had not felt the tingling. Exit the water as quickly as possible; avoid using metal ladders or rails. Touching metal may increase the risk of shock.

Tips for pool owners:

— Have a qualified electrician periodically inspect and — where necessary — replace or upgrade the electrical devices or equipment that keep your pool, spa or hot tub electrically safe. Also, have the electrician show you how to turn off all power in case of an emergency.

Tips for boat owners:

— Avoid entering the water when launching or loading a boat. Docks or boats can leak electricity into the water causing water electrification.

— Have ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) installed on the boat; use only portable GFCIs or shore power cords (including “Y” adapters) that are Marine Listed when using electricity near water. Test GFCIs monthly.

“With continued education and awareness about ESD, we can help reduce the risk of ESD from happening,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president of Outreach and Advocacy. “Before participating in water activities, have swimming pool equipment, hot tubs and spas, or your boat inspected by a qualified electrician; have them regularly maintained to ensure life saving measures and protection systems are functioning properly during the summer and throughout the year.”

NFPA has additional resources for swimmers, boat and pool owners, including tip sheets, checklists, and more that can be downloaded and shared. Please visit www.nfpa.org/watersafety.