Our lakes are pretty great. After all, we’re not called The Great Lakes State for nothing. Yet despite their undeniable beauty, the Great Lakes can pose great danger. As of mid-July, there have been 37 drownings reported in the Great Lakes (18 in Lake Michigan alone). To put things on a national scale, in the U.S., someone dies from drowning every 10 minutes.
While the statistics are alarming, swimming—whether in a lake or backyard pool—is fantastic exercise, not to mention a ton of fun. Best of all, you don’t have to shun the water to stay safe and reap all its advantages.