Jones Beach lifeguards are holding free swim lessons this summer at the West Bathhouse.

Jennifer McCabe, one of the lifeguards teaching the program, says it is a survival skill that people need to know how to do.

"Kids drown all the time and you want to make sure they know how to swim," McCabe says.

Parents says it is an important program to have, especially for families living on Long Island.

"I think it is such a great opportunity for families, they should definitely take advantage of it when there is a resource in the community," says Erica Henn.

The lessons take place at a pool, but the goal is for pool survival skills to transfer over to successful ocean swimmers.

"That's why this program started, to make sure if you come down to the beach, you know how to swim," McCabe says.

Lifeguards have also been out on the stands watching for the safety of beach goers.

They are on the stands until 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 p.m. on weekends.

"There has been a lot of activity with regard to shark sightings and we have training right now for lifeguards and we have purchased drones," says George Gorman, of the New York state Parks Department. "We have five that we have added to the ones we have already."

Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder is also reminding people ahead of Independence Day that fireworks are illegal and very dangerous.

Police say they locked up 50 people for illegal fireworks in 2021.