Beach safety can be a life saver.

• Position: YOUR LIFE

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children at the beach. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: every day, about 10 people die from unintentional drowning. Of these, two are age 14 or younger.

Steve Kardian, a 30-year law enforcement veteran, FBI defense tactics instructor, and author of The New Superpower for Women: Trust Your Intuition, Predict Dangerous Situations, Defend Yourself from the Unthinkable, shares tips to ensure a safe beach experience for your family this summer:

* Many beaches will post condition warnings, often in chalk, as these can change rapidly. They include information about the surf; riptides; high winds; and predator alerts, including sightings of sharks, jelly fish, Portuguese man of war, and, in some instances, harmful bacteria that forms because of too much rain or sewage run-off.

* No lifeguard--no life line. Do not venture into the water without a lifeguard on duty; it is risky under any conditions. Moreover, lifeguards attempt to spot potential problems before they become serious problems, so heed their warnings.

* You are your first line of defense, so do not take additional risks. Remember, people get into serious trouble and fatalities occur even when lifeguards are on duty.

* Always swim with a buddy or in a group. If you are an adult watching kids, try to limit the number so your attention is not divided too many ways: one-on-one is best; two or three can be complicated; and more than three is...