Click to hear our ad: RIP CURRENTS - JUNE, 2008.

June starts the summer with Rip Current Awareness Week. Rip currents are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from the shore. On July 4, 2005, 7 lives were lost along the Lake Michigan shoreline due to rip currents.

When enjoying the lake, be aware of rip currents. If caught in a rip current, do not fight the current. Swim sideways, parallel to the shoreline. Once out of the current, swim or let the waves carry you to shore. If you can't escape, float or tread water and call for help.

For more information on rip currents, visit the National Weather Service Rip Current Awareness website.