Accidental drowning is the number one cause of death among infants and small children in Florida, with Broward and Miami-Dade counties leading the nation.
The YMCA of South Florida wants to help change this, and hopes to increase awareness during National Water Safety Month throughout the month of May.
National Water Safety Month comes just on the heels of Swim Week, a partnership between YMCA of South Florida and NBC 6 South Florida.
A press conference slated for Tuesday afternoon will include swim demonstrations and parent testimonials.
In addition, the YMCA is also promoting the concept of being a Water Watcher. For full details on picking up a badge, click here.
Why are swimming skills so important?
- Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 in Florida
- Enough children in Florida drown each year to fill 4 classrooms
- 3 children a day in the United States die from a drowning incident
- From Memorial Day through Labor Day 2014, at least 174 children between the ages of 1 to 14 drowned in swimming pools or spas
- Since 2010, 83 children died in Broward and Miami-Dade counties due to drowning
To learn more about the Y’s Swim for Jenny program and drowning prevention initiatives, please visit YMCA South Florida.
