Water Safety

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Swim Safety

According to the CDC, from 2018 to 2020 combined, Florida was ranked the highest in the U.S. for unintentional drowning death rate among children ages 1 to 4 years old. Nationwide more children from ages 1-4 die from drowning than any other cause of death. It only takes seconds for an unattended child to get into trouble in the backyard pool, canal, or pond. 

Drowning is the process of experiencing respiratory distress as a result of becoming submerged/immersed in liquid. It can occur in less than 3 inches of water and is quick and silent. 

 Drowning is preventable with:

Adult Supervision

  • Take ownership of your child’s safety. Children should always be actively supervised in and around water by a designated adult water watcher. Never rely on responsible behavior from your child, another child, or other adults. Know who is watching your child when you can’t be there.
  • Don’t multitask. Pool time means your full attention is needed to be properly supervised. Drowning happens quickly; most children die who are underwater for as little as 6 minutes.
  • Have a response plan. If your child is missing, check the pool first.

Installing Water Barriers

During a brief lapse in supervision, barriers act as a second level of defense against drowning. Examples of barriers include pool gates, an approved fitted pool cover, locks, and sounding door and window alarms.

  • Install water barriers separating a pool and/or backyard lake, from the home and all entrances.
  • 4-sided isolation fences that keep the pool separate from the house can reduce a child’s risk of drowning by 83%.  Fences should be over 5 feet in height and should self-close, and self-latch. 
  • Install alarms on all access doors and windows that’ll signal when a door or window is opened. 
  • Door closures, gate latches and fences should be inspected regularly and alarms should never be disabled. Battery-dependent alarms should be tested regularly and require ongoing replacement.
  • Keep objects that can be used to climb on away from a fence, which can allow a child to climb over and into water.

Click here to register for free door alarm installation

Click here to register for a sub-surface pool alarm installation

Learn to Swim

Everyone should know the basics of swimming, including floating, treading, and moving through the water. Formal swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent. It’s never too late to learn to swim! Make it a family activity and learn together.

Apply for a swim coupon here

Find swim lessons near you.

Learn about the City Aquatics Center.


Learn CPR

In the case of a drowning, it is critical to have a phone nearby and dial 911 immediately. Try to remain calm, know your location and speak clearly and try to provide as much information as possible. 

Learning CPR can help save a life in an emergency every second counts.

Register for one of our CPR classes here.