The Florida Department of Health reminds us to take precautions against a brain-eating amoeba that can be found in warm, freshwater lakes, rivers and ponds around the state this summer.

A spokesman tells us "If the water's not moving and it's really murky and you put your big toe in the water and it's warm like bathwater, don't go in or let your kids play in that water."

Steve Heward says you'd be better off swimming in the ocean or a pool this summer. 

If you do swim in a warm freshwater lake or other body of water, look for the following symptoms, and if you have them, seek immediate medical care:



Stiff neck

Heward says infections are rare, but most are deadly.

Click Here for more on this from the Orlando Sentinel.

Photo: Thinkstock