With Lifeguard on site, children swimming in recreational swimming pool.

Get a Swim Plan

Drowning is fast, silent, and preventable. It can happen in seconds, in all types of water. Louisiana has the third-highest drowning rate in the United States for children under 15. And for children ages 1-4, drowning is the leading cause of death.

All of us have a role to play in keeping children in Louisiana safe around water with a few simple steps. Keep an active watch on children in and around water. Know safety skills - teach children how to swim, prepare for emergencies by learning CPR, and stay alert for common hazards. Use appropriate water safety equipment like barriers and correctly-sized life jackets.

Get your swim plan together today because water safety is a job for everyone.

Graphic reading, 'All water. All the time. All of us, Louisiana.'

When we all take action, we can prevent drownings in Louisiana. Practice water safety steps and share these tips with your neighbors, family, and friends.

Every Drowning is Preventable.

Take these steps to get a swim plan and help protect children.

Keep Watch. No Distractions.

  • Always watch kids in and around water. Drownings can happen anywhere, like bathtubs, pools, hot tubs, lakes, canals, and more.
  • Keep young kids and weak swimmers within arm’s reach.
  • Put phones away and avoid distractions.
  • Choose one adult to be the dedicated “Water Watcher” and actively watch kids at all times. After 15 minutes, choose another adult to be the Water Watcher.

Teach Safety Skills.

Use Barriers and Life Jackets.

Did
You
Know?

Between 2022 and 2024 in Louisiana: 1,2

  • 55 children ages 0 to 14 drowned
  • Most drownings occurred among children ages one to four and in swimming pools
  • 65% of children drowned without adult supervision
  • 42% of children drowned in areas without protective barriers like fences
  • 54 children were hospitalized due to nonfatal drownings, which can lead to lifelong disabilities

Myths vs. Facts


Myth: Drowning is noticeable and loud.

Fact: Drowning is silent and fast. That's why it is important to always actively watch children around water.


Myth: Life jackets are “one size fits all.”

Fact: Choose a life jacket that is right for your child’s weight and water activity, and only use ones that are U.S. Coast Guard Approved.


Myth: A fence around my backyard is enough to protect against child drowning.

Fact: A pool fence should surround all sides of the pool, and be at least 4’ tall with a self-closing and self-latching gate.


Myth: Any floatation device will protect little kids from drowning, so as long as they have on floaties or puddle jumpers, they are safe to play in the water.

Fact: Only coast guard approved life jackets should be used for life-saving purposes. If kids wear floaties or puddle jumpers, they need an adult at arm’s length reach who is attentively watching them while in the water. Those devices may actually make it harder for kids to learn how to swim because they put kids in an unnatural position in the water.

Take Action Today

The local resources below can be used to find places across Louisiana offering free or reduced-cost swimming and water safety education lessons for infants, children, adolescents, and families. The national resources below can be used to find boating lessons, handouts, fact sheets, and more about water safety nationwide.

Note: Many additional private instructors and organizations may also be available in your community.

Local Resources

Region 1: New Orleans
  • Big Easy Swim Easy: Through the New Orleans Health Department, this program offers swimming lessons and water safety education across the city at no cost
  • H2 Geaux Swim: Partners with the YMCA and the Jefferson Community Foundation to provide a no-cost learn-to-swim program
  • YMCA Greater New Orleans: Provides low-cost or no-cost swimming lessons
Region 2: Baton Rouge
Region 3: Thibodeaux
Region 4: Lafayette
Region 5: Lake Charles
Region 6: Alexandria
Region 7: Shreveport
Region 8: Monroe
Region 9: Tangipahoa

Statewide and National Resources

Statewide Resources
  • Sea Tow Foundation Life Jacket Loaner Stations: Life jacket loaner program stations provide personal flotation devices to boaters to use while on the water to return when done boating for the day, free of charge. Find available locations using the links on the map.

 

National Resources
  • PoolSafely.gov: Launched by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to reduce childhood drownings and submersion injuries, this website includes brochures, tip cards, fact sheets, social media tools, videos, and press releases
  • Safe Kids Worldwide: A nonprofit organization working to reduce preventable injuries in children ages 0-19 and building sustainable systems to protect all families – the website includes infographics, checklists, and links to other child safety resources
  • American Red Cross: Offers online water safety, drowning prevention, and CPR courses in English and Spanish for families and caregivers
  • American CPR Care Association: Offers free CPR classes online
  • Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) Locator: Tool to assist families with finding certified survival swim instructors in their area
  • American Academy of Pediatrics: Website with drowning prevention tips for parents, focusing on toddlers
  • National Safe Boating Council: Website with no-cost, online boating education and life jacket information
  • Life Jackets Worn … Nobody Mourns: From the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this website has campaign materials and video public service announcements about the importance of life jackets

 

For more information about water safety and drowning prevention resources in your area, visit partnersforfamilyhealth.org/mortality-surveillance-contacts.

References

  1. CDC Wonder, 2022-2024
  2. LA Office of Vital Records, The National Center for Child Death Review

Surgeon General Evelyn Griffin, MD

Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein

Powered by Cicero Government