Safe Kids USA Water Safety

Kids Don’t Float Goes National

This Memorial Day weekend our Kids Don't Float program is launching in 38 locations nationwide.

The program was started by the Safe Kids Homer, Alaska, coalition. Kids Don’t Float provides lifejackets for boaters and swimmers on loaner boards near docks and other open water access sites, as well as an educational component for kids in local schools.

The Alaska program has grown to more than 400 sites across the state, with 12 documented children's lives saved.

More about the program | Important Safety Tips

Water Watcher Cards Help Parents Actively Supervise Young Swimmers

As pools open around the country this Memorial Day, Safe Kids USA is offering a free tool to help parents keep kids safe in and around water this summer.

Drowning deaths among children ages 14 and under increase 89 percent in the summer over the average annual monthly rate, with 64 percent of all children’s drowning deaths occurring in the summer months..

One Family's Story

Watch the story of Kai Lewis, who nearly drowned in a backyard pool, and hear his mother's advice to other parents on how to prevent similar accidents.

Watch more safety videos on our YouTube Channel

Did you know that children can drown in as little as one inch of water?

Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death among children ages 1 to 14.

Children can drown in a variety of circumstances – during water recreation (such as swimming and boating) or when a young child is left unsupervised for even seconds in the bathtub or around the home with access to pools and hot tubs.

A child can drown in as little as one inch of water, and drowning is usually quick and silent. A child will lose consciousness two minutes after submersion, with irreversible brain damage occurring within four to six minutes.

Parents and caregivers need to understand the dangers of drowning and know the proper steps to take to protect children.

More Information

Safe Kids USA
1301 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Suite 1000
Washington, D.C. 20004
Phone: 202-662-0600
Fax: 202-393-2072
E-mail: info@safekids.org
Web site: www.usa.safekids.o rg