May 06, 2026 LDH urges residents to practice safe swimming and water safety

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, May 06, 2026 - As summer approaches, the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is reminding families about the importance of water safety. Using strong water safety practices can prevent drownings and serious water-related injuries, especially among children.

Recent data compiled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that drowning is the fourth leading cause of injury-related death for children ages 0 to 14 in Louisiana.

“Most drownings are preventable, and they can happen quickly and silently,” said LDH Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein. “There are important things for adults to do whenever children are in or around water — have a designated adult ‘on duty’ to actively supervise swimmers, keep young children within arm’s reach, and never leave children unattended when in or around water.”

Fifty-five children drowned in Louisiana between 2022 and 2024, according to the LDH Office of Public Health (OPH). More than half (65%) were unsupervised, and 42% drowned in water unprotected by proper barriers. Most of these instances (58%) occurred in swimming pools. Another 54 children were hospitalized due to nonfatal drownings (or near-drownings), which can lead to lifelong disabilities.

“Watching the water is one of the most important jobs a parent has this summer,” said Louisiana Surgeon General Dr. Evelyn Griffin. “Even if a child is rescued from drowning, the near-miss can still be very serious and could include permanent damage that affects how a child walks, talks, or learns for the rest of their life.”

Best practice recommendations for water safety 

TEACH THEM EARLY: Enroll children in swimming lessons at an early age to ensure they learn essential water skills and safety awareness.

PROTECT POOL AREAS: Surround private pools with high fences and protective barriers, including self-closing and self-latching gates, to prevent children and uninvited guests from swimming unattended and toddlers from falling into water, unable to swim. Install safety devices, such as barriers, pool covers, and alarms.

KNOW YOUR DRAINS: Teach children to stay away from pool drains. 

ENSURE COMPLIANCE: Ensure all pools and spas have compliant drain covers.

CONSIDER THE DANGERS: Everyone needs to know the rules and dangers in different environments, from backyard pools and hot tubs to area lakes and beaches. Open water brings special challenges, including low visibility in murky water, hazardous currents, changes in depth, and uneven surfaces and hazards.

WATCH ACTIVELY: Always supervise children in or near the water. Never leave them unattended. Be sure an adult is always within arm’s reach. When there are several adults present, designate one adult as a “water watcher” to supervise, with no distractions for a certain period, such as 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, select another adult to be the “water watcher.”

MIND THE RED FLAGS: At the beach, be aware of and respect conditions. Always swim with a buddy under the watch of lifeguards. Know what to do if you are caught in open currents or a riptide. Never swim alone.

WEAR A LIFE JACKET: When boating or participating in open-water activities, ensure children wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets appropriate for their weight and activity.

AVOID ALCOHOL: Swim sober. Avoid alcohol use near open water and before or during swimming, boating, and other water activities, as it could impede awareness and emergency response. Do not drink alcohol while supervising children. Alcohol impairs judgment, balance, and coordination.

BE PREPARED: Know what to do in a water safety event. Learn life-saving practices, like CPR and basic water rescue skills. Have a phone nearby in case of an emergency.

Resources and tips

Resources and additional tips for water safety, including information on local swim lessons and CPR classes, are available at getaswimplan.ldh.la.gov.