10 Tips to Prevent Child Drownings

May is National Water Safety Month, and it's a great time to remember the importance of water safety, especially for children. With water covering 71% of the Earth's surface, it's important to learn how to stay safe around it. Water can be an irresistible place for kids to explore, play and enjoy splashy fun, but it can also be risky for those who haven’t yet developed their water smarts and skills. 

Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death for children in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an average of 4,000 people die from drowning each year in the U.S., and one in five of these individuals is a child under the age of 14. In fact, drowning is the leading cause of death for children 1 to 4 years old and Florida, unfortunately, has the most child drownings in the nation. This is a tragic and preventable problem that affects families in our community and beyond.

Water safety is essential for everyone, but it's especially crucial for children who are at higher risk of drowning. Whether you're spending time at the pool, beach, or lake, following water safety best practices is crucial in preventing accidents and keeping your family safe.  

Here are some tips to help keep your child safe in, on or around water:

1. Supervise all water activities; never leaving a child unattended. 

2. Throw, don’t go: Always toss a flotation device, never jump in to save. 

3. Never allow children to swim or play in an unlit pool after dark. 

4. Remove inflatables from the pool area when not in use. 

5. Make sure all gates and doors to the pool are self-closing and self-latching.

6. Keep a phone near the pool in case of emergencies.

7. Never permit diving in the shallow end of the swimming pool. 

8. Always check the weather before heading out to the water. Avoid swimming in open water during storms or high winds.

9. Encourage the use of a life jacket, especially for children who are not strong swimmers. 

10. Enroll your child in Swim Lessons at the Y. Not sure of your child's swim skill level? Before you register for classes, use our Swim Lesson Selector to ensure you've made the right choice. 

The Y is a leader in drowning prevention, and our Safety Around Water program is a testament to our commitment to keeping children safe in and around water. This program is designed to give children the opportunity to build confidence around water, learn new skills, and enjoy the benefits of healthy exercise. By teaching children the importance of water safety, we can help prevent child drownings and keep our children safe.