Your child’s swimsuit color could matter more than you think and could make a big difference when it comes to safety.

As families head to Alabama beaches and lakes for the Fourth of July weekend, red is a much safer bathing suit color than white and blue in terms of visibility.

Bright swimsuit colors that contrast with the color of the water allow adults and lifeguards to see children better than whites, blues, grays or black.

Neon colors, especially neon orange, are the most visible underwater.

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children 1 to 4 years old, and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children 5 to 14 years old, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The best way to keep kids safe as they go for a swim this summer is to make sure they are supervised and stay toward the surface of the water, where visibility is best.

The CDC also recommends that:

• Children get swimming lessons
• Wear a life jacket
• Use the buddy system in open water
• Don’t hold your breath for a long time underwater
• Fully enclose pools at home
• Learn CPR