The movie “Jaws” had us terrified of swimming in the ocean in case of a deadly shark attack. But most of us never think twice about the potentially fatal dangers of swimming in a lake, which are many times greater than being attacked by a great white.

Yet three women tragically recently died from electrocution after taking a leisurely dip by their lake homes in Alabama. They suffered Electric Shock Drowning or ESD, a phenomenon that’s rising due to the proliferation of motor boats, personal water crafts, and the docks and devices that keep them powered up.

One victim, 15-year-old Carmen Johnson, died while climbing a metal ladder to get back onto her dock. Despite the efforts of her desperate father, Jimmy, and his son, Zach, Carmen became a statistic of this rare, but growing danger.

According to the Electric Shock Drowning Prevention Association, ESD is “the result of the passage of a typically low level AC current through the body with sufficient force to cause skeletal paralysis, rendering the victim unable to help himself or herself while immersed in water, eventually resulting in the drowning of the victim.”

It’s called the “silent killer” because usually there is no visible warning or way to tell if the water surrounding a boat, marina, or dock is energized with electricity.

“And this tragedy doesn’t only happen in fresh water,” Dr. David Farcy, chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine and Director of Emergency Medicine Critical Care at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami, tells Newsmax Health. “I’ve seen several cases here in Miami.

“In the summer time, we tend to be more carefree and this can often translates to being careless. Common sense and preparation can prevent these tragic incidents.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 10 people die each day as a result of unintentional drownings that are non-boat related. An additional 332 people die each year from drowning in boat-related accidents.

Experts say it’s critically important for Americans to know about electric shock drowning and ways to guard against it. Safety tips include:

• Use a plastic ladder, rather than a metal one, so it won’t transfer electricity into the water
• If you feel a tingling in the water, swim away from the dock, which is where most electrical issues occur
• Check all the wiring around your dock, including your ground fault circuit breaker before the season begins
• Purchase a Dock Lifeguard, a device that detects electricity on your dock and in the water around it.

“It’s a homeowner’s responsibility to check out their property thoroughly before the summer season begins,” notes Farcy, president elect of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine. “I live on the water myself and inspect my decks every year to make sure they are sturdy and that no nails or other protrusions can cause injury.

“It’s also important to have all electrical equipment installed and checked by a professional to avoid electric shock drowning. In fresh water, an electrical current can travel up to 20 feet. In salt water, because of the salt particles, the current usually travels up to five feet.”

Federal statistics show that about one in five people who die from drowning are children 14 and younger. For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency department treatment for nonfatal submersion injuries.

Even nonfatal drowning accidents can cause severe brain damage that may result in long term disabilities such as memory proems, learning disabilities, and permanent loss of basic functioning leaving them in a vegetative state.

Farcy offers the following water safety tips:

Never swim alone. If you are swimming on any beach — lakefront or ocean — make sure that there is a lifeguard nearby.

Watch for rip currents. Heed the warning signs for rip currents if you are on the ocean. “If you do get caught in a rip current, swim perpendicular to the current, not away from it, or you may be sucked in,” he says. “Rip currents are the No. 1 cause of lifeguard rescues.”

Practice boat safety. Boating related accidents kill hundreds each year, mostly due to lack of preparation and substance abuse, says Farcy. “Make sure that your never have more passengers in the boat than its legal capacity and each passenger must have a life jacket available,” he says. “If you are drinking alcohol on the boat, appoint a designated driver.”

Take care with persona crafts. Personal watercrafts, such as Jet Skis, can be doubly hazardous, so plan ahead and adhere to safe boating rules. “Folks speed along on these vehicles and don’t pay attention to the tide,” notes Farcy.

Avoid jelly fish. Stings by jelly fish are not only painful, they can also be fatal. “Keep a bottle of vinegar on hand when you go to the beach,” he notes. “If a jelly fish does sting you or a loved one, apply the vinegar for 20 minutes to disarm the venomous nematodes and then use shaving cream and a credit card to get them off the skin.”

Check signs for posted areas. Bacterial infections from polluted water can also be deadly. “Chemical pollution, human waste and other contaminants can be present in the water,” he says. “Regulatory bodies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration help regulate pollution as well as local government bodies. Adhere to the warning signs and make sure that your favorite swimming spot has been cleared through the regulating body.”