Photo courtesy of STOCK

By David L. Snelling

MIAMI – In Florida, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4, according to the Florida Department of Health.

For children ages 1 to 14, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in Miami-Dade County.

In an effort to curb drownings, the Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation Department is raising water safety awareness for children and adults who enjoy swimming at the pools, beaches, marinas and lakes.

The county has launched Staying Afloat, a program designed to teach no swimmer and beginners how to swim and other methods to ensure safety in the water during the summer time.

The county hired over 200 lifeguards and swimming instructors to oversee the pools, beaches and marinas, which is essential to helping residents and visitors safely enjoy the water during one of the busiest times of the year.

The program is a partnership with the American Red Cross’s Learn2Swim program which also provides swimming instructors and offers life-saving methods including CPR.

“Water safety is for everyone, ” said Christina White, Director for Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department (PROS).

White the drowning statistics among children is devastating but could’ve been prevented.

“As we enter the summer season, it is especially important to highlight all things water safety,” she said.

White said since 2007, national awareness efforts have brought together leading organizations to promote education, outreach, and programming aimed at preventing drowning and water-related injuries.

“That message is especially relevant here at home,” she said.

The county offers residents and visitors countless opportunities to swim, fish, paddle, boat and enjoy the outdoors through miles of beach access, atoll and swimming pools, the lake and beach at Larry & Penny Thompson Park, and marinas, to name a few.

White said water safety also is connected to our commitment to making parks and recreational spaces accessible to everyone.

“Our facilities are equipped with pool lifts to help residents with disabilities participate safely, and our staff have completed autism and sensory awareness training to better support individuals and families with diverse needs,” she said. “Additionally, our beaches at Crandon Park and Haulover Park offer accessible pathways that promote greater access to the shoreline.”

White said the parks and recreation department also offers access to critical resources that help keep us, our families, and our community safe.

“This work is central to our mission to enhance the quality of life for our residents,” she said.

Last year alone, White said more than 8,900 children enrolled in the Learn2Swim program, which since 1965 has helped generations of residents build confidence in the water while learning critical swimming and water safety skills.

She said with more help in spreading the word about this vital, low-cost program, the county hopes to serve even more children and families this year.

“Our commitment to water safety also extends through trusted community partnerships with organizations such as Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and Zero Drownings Miami-Dade to expand access to swim lessons and water safety education,” she said. “These organizations help break barriers and connect children and families to life-saving instruction and resources.
These efforts have been further strengthened through the collective leadership and expertise that continue to guide many of our most important countywide water safety initiatives.”

True water safety requires layers of protection.

White said children should always be actively supervised by a responsible adult when they are near water, whether at a pool, beach, lake, canal, or on a boat.

Barriers such as pool fences and locked gates can help prevent unsupervised access.

Families also should learn basic rescue skills like CPR, and everyone should understand the risks of rip currents, changing weather, deep water, and unfamiliar swimming areas.

“We encourage every resident to take an active role in water safety,” White said. “Enroll children in swim lessons, complete a safety checklist before heading out on the water, closely supervise children around all bodies of water, and always wear a life jacket while boating.”

White added: “Water will always be part of who we are and how we enjoy our home in South Florida. By understanding the risks and making safety a shared responsibility, we can help ensure that every day near the water is not only enjoyable, but safe. Drownings are preventable, and many water-related incidents can be avoided.”

For more information about Learn2Swim and other programs and facilities offered by Parks, visit miamidade.gov/parks.