Swim Safe, Stay Safe: Your Guide to a Safer Summer in the Water

As summer kicks into full gear and families head to the beach and backyard pools, Florida officials are sounding the alarm about water safety, especially for young children. The state once again leads the nation in child drowning deaths, with the highest number of incidents occurring during the warmer months.

In 2024 alone, Florida reported 105 drowning deaths among children ages 0 to 18. Alarmingly, 38% of those tragedies happened in Central Florida. Children under the age of four remain the most vulnerable, and experts warn that drowning can happen silently and in less than 30 seconds.

"With all the water bodies here in Florida, having high quality swim lessons

should be one of the most important things a parent can do" stated Brent Moore, Executive Director of Children's Safety Village which offers free swimming lessons for children. Additionally, having a pool fence, door alarms, water watcher and learning CPR all help to reduce the number of drownings by 88%.

With Florida’s year-round access to water—beaches, lakes, pools, and splash pads, water safety must be a top priority for families.