How to keep Arizona families safe this summer as national drowning rates rise

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A new CDC report shows national drowning rates are on the rise for the first time in decades.

According to the report, over 4,500 drowning deaths occurred each year from 2020-2022, and almost 40 million U.S. adults can’t swim.

According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages one to four. It’s the second leading cause of accidental death for children between five and 14. Data shows that nine out of 10 drowning deaths happen when a caregiver is supervising but not paying attention.

Ahead of summer vacation plans, the United States Swim School Association (USSSA) wants families to know how to keep their loved ones safe if their plans include a pool, beach or lake.

USSSA recommends having enough lifejackets for family and guests, ensuring lifejackets are U.S. Coast Guard approved, avoiding arm floaties, keeping toys away from the pool and having a designated ‘pool watcher’ to watch kids swimming, especially at parties.

Aside from the physical additions you can add to your pool, lake or beach activities, Executive Director Liza Zarda says the biggest line of defense from drowning is swim lessons.

“It’s so tragic because when incidents happen. I hear from families, ‘I didn’t know, I didn’t know it can happen to me,’ and a child can slip under in a matter of seconds,” Zarda said. “Swim lessons reduce the risk of drowning by 88%, and many of them do have grant and scholarship programs.”

If you’re looking for swim lessons near you, Zarda says to check out your city’s parks and recreation programs for classes.

You can also find certified swim schools near you at this link.

See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it.

Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.

Copyright 2024 KTVK/KPHO. All rights reserved.