Learning to swim is a rite of passage for many young children, and summer just isn’t summer without a few dips in a pool.

But unsafe swimming can lead to accidents, and drownings by children age 14 or younger increase by 89 percent during the summer months, peaking in July, according to a press release by children’s safety advocacy group Safe Kid USA.

The near drowning in Natchez Wednesday that left a Ferriday boy struggling for his life may underscore for some the necessity of safe swimming practices.

Five-year-old Chase Charpetier wandered into the deep end of the Moose Lodge pool in Natchez early Wednesday afternoon.

Charpetier was transported to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson Wednesday evening, where an artificial respirator was assisting his breathing.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends several safety measures for pool owners or operators.

They include:

4Erect a fence that completely encloses the pool.

4Never leave children alone in or near the pool.

4Keep rescue equipment such as life preservers and shepherd’s hooks near the pool.

4Do not use inflatable “swimming aids” because they are not life vests.

4Be sure to remove all toys from the pool after use so children will not attempt to reach them.

4Learn CPR.

Even if some homeowners don’t see any reason to take certain safety measures, many insurance companies won’t write homeowner’s policies for people who don’t take certain precautions around their swimming pools.

Byrne Insurance Agent Johnny Byrne said the majority of companies they represent require those precautions for safety reasons.

“They’re concerned about the attractive nuisance aspect of it,” he said. “The primary reason is to keep children off of property.

“It’s happened too many times when there’s been an unfortunate accident.”

Most insurance companies require homeowners to erect a fence around their pool for them to write a homeowner’s policy, Byrne said.

A lot of people are worried the fences will ruin their views, but most companies don’t have a minimum height for the fence, he said.

“They’ll tell them to make it waist high to an adult so it will keep children out,” he said.