Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death worldwide, yet it’s also one of the most preventable. The headlines appear far too often — another life cut short, another family forever changed. You tell yourself it could never happen to you or someone you love until one day, it does.

According to the World Health Organization, drowning claims an estimated 236,000 lives every year around the globe. The most vulnerable are children under the age of five — toddlers who should be having fun in the shallow end, not becoming a statistic.

While teaching individual water safety skills is critical, the truth is this: we are stronger when we protect each other. Communities have the power to create safer environments, spread lifesaving awareness, and take action that prevents tragedies before they happen.

Keep reading to learn how your community can turn the tide on drowning prevention and build a lasting culture of water safety.

1. Promote Water Safety Education for All Ages

Knowledge is the first line of defense against drowning. Communities can help by:

• Organizing swim lessons through schools, recreation centers, or local YMCAs. Studies show that formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by up to 88% for young children.
  
• Hosting water safety workshops for parents, caregivers, and older adults to learn supervision best practices, CPR, and rescue techniques.
  
• Making resources accessible in multiple languages so that all community members can understand and act on safety information.

2. Support Public Swimming Facilities and Safe Water Access

Not all families have access to private pools or safe swimming spots. Communities can make a difference by:

• Investing in supervised public pools with trained lifeguards.
  
• Maintaining safe waterfront areas at lakes, rivers, and beaches, with clear signage and designated swim zones.
  
• Providing affordable access so that cost isn’t a barrier to safe swimming opportunities.

3. Advocate for Lifeguards and Rescue Equipment

Quick response can mean the difference between life and death. Your community can:

• Ensure lifeguards are trained, certified, and adequately staffed at public pools and waterfronts during peak hours.
  
• Install life rings, rescue poles, and throw ropes in accessible areas.
  
• Encourage buddy systems and clear emergency communication channels at all swim sites.

4. Implement and Enforce Safety Policies

Rules save lives — but people must follow them. Communities can:

• Require fencing around pools to prevent unsupervised access, especially by young children.
  
• Enforce alcohol restrictions near swimming areas, as impaired judgment increases drowning risk.
  
• Establish “no swimming alone” policies at public facilities.

5. Create Public Awareness Campaigns

Awareness drives prevention. Communities can:

• Run seasonal safety campaigns before the summer or holiday periods, when water activity spikes.
  
• Share real-life stories from residents to make the risks relatable and memorable.
  
• Use social media, local radio, and bulletin boards to spread quick safety reminders.

6. Prepare for Flood and Disaster Risks

Drowning isn’t limited to recreational activities — it also happens during floods and storms. Communities can:

• Educate residents on flood evacuation routes and emergency contacts.
  
• Ensure rescue teams have proper boats, gear, and training.
  
• Support weather alert systems that provide timely warnings to residents.

7. Encourage Ongoing Community Involvement

Preventing drowning is not a one-time effort. Communities can keep the momentum by:

• Hosting annual water safety days, with demonstrations and activities.
  
• Partnering with schools, nonprofits, and first responders to keep safety messages fresh.
  
• Recognizing and rewarding local heroes who’ve helped save lives.

Help Us Prevent Drowning

Drowning prevention is a shared responsibility. When communities work together — educating residents, enforcing safety measures, and fostering a culture of awareness — they create safer environments for everyone. Even small steps can ripple outward and save lives, such as attending a CPR class or advocating for better signage at swimming spots.

Take action today so your community matches the joy of swimming and water activities with safety, vigilance, and care.

Together, we can end the heartache of losing a loved one due to drowning. Your gift is an opportunity to help us prevent drowning through funding our water safety outreach programs, including initiatives that target schools and community groups to keep everyone safe. You can also participate in our Water Safety Challenge to measure your family’s or community’s water safety competence and help us provide water safety outreach to schools and community groups to keep everyone safe.

Wishing you safe fun in and on the water!