Water safety tips as millions of Americans deal with intense heat wave

With much of the U.S. facing scorching temperatures , many Americans are expected to head to the beach or hit the pool to cool off over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. But experts warn of the dangers of rip currents and importance of water safety. More than 4,000 people drown each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . It's the leading cause of death for kids ages 1 through 4. Technology improves water safety Technology is helping to see what the eye can't when it comes to water safety. "Rip currents are the No. 1 weather-related fatality in our region," said Eric Hoeflich, a National Weather Service meteorologist in the mid-Atlantic region. His office outside of Philadelphia monitors ocean conditions from New Jersey to Delaware and is one of 122 facilities in all 50 states. Twice a day, Hoeflich's office publishes rip current forecasts, which help inform local beaches. Safety tips Rip currents form after a wave crashes on shore and encounters an obstacle in the beach's topography, including low spots in sand bars and around piers. A rip current can pull you away from shore at a speed of 1 to 8 miles per second, much faster than a person can swim. If you get caught in a rip current, Jack Forsman, the chief lifeguard at a beach in Sea Bright, New Jersey, stressed to "stay calm." "Make sure that you keep your arms down, tread water and control your breathing," he said. …