The Children’s Trust: Together, we can prevent child drownings

The sparkling waters of Biscayne Bay and our beaches, the tens of thousands of swimming pools – both public and private, and the murky depths of canals throughout our neighborhoods are just a few examples of the countless bodies of water that surround us and our children in South Florida.

And while the water is one of the reasons so many think of Miami as paradise, it also presents one of the greatest dangers our children will face – if we do not take the necessary steps to keep them safe. In Miami-Dade County, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children aged 1-14.

That heartbreaking local statistic takes center stage during summers in South Florida. It’s an important reminder to all of us. The good news is that drowning is preventable — and there are several ways every parent, caregiver and community member can help keep children safe around water.

Join the Zero Challenge

Swimming is not just a recreational skill — it’s a survival skill. While parents and caregivers must always do their part to keep children safe in and near water, among the best ways to ensure a child’s safety near water is to make sure they know how swim – National Institutes of Health studies show swimming lessons associated with an 88 percent reduction in the risk of drowning.

Fortunately, thanks to new and expanding local programs, it’s becoming easier than ever for families in Miami-Dade to access quality swim lessons.

In 2024, a group of leading public and private entities, including The Children’s Trust, Miami-Dade County, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the American Red Cross, The Miami Foundation and United Way Miami, launched the Zero Drownings Miami-Dade initiative – a first of its kind program in Miami-Dade.

This initiative, which is wrapping up its first year, is a school-based program that brings free swim lessons directly to children during the school day in the form of 10 daily field trips to the nearest participating public or private swim provider. This initiative eliminates challenges so many parents face like transportation, cost and scheduling lessons.

Four and 5-year-olds from pre-selected schools and child care centers participate, with 2,500 children served since April 2024 and with the ultimate goal to reach 20,000 children every year by 2026 and beyond.

There is no universal registration for this program; however if your school notifies you that your child’s class has been selected, don’t hesitate to register them through the convenient online portal.

Visit www.zerodrowningsmiamidade.org for more information, and for links to Miami-Dade Parks Swim Programs for children of all ages and American Red Cross Water Safety information that we can all benefit from.

Keeping eyes on what matters most

Whether your kids have taken swim lessons or not, it would be great if there were lifeguards near every possible body of water, but the next best thing might be a “water watcher.” Whenever children are near water — whether it’s at a party, park or backyard pool — make sure to assign a designated water watcher.

This person should be a responsible adult who won’t get easily distracted and will focus entirely on supervising kids in and around the water. Feel free to rotate this role every so often so that the water watcher will remain alert.

Close enough to protect

Stay close to your young children and those who are not strong swimmers when they are in or near water, and that means always staying within arm’s reach. This is known as “touch supervision,” and it gives caregivers the ability to respond instantly if a child slips underwater or gets into trouble. Even confident swimmers benefit from having an adult keeping eyes open nearby.

CPR and HELP training

Every parent and caregiver can be trained in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as a lifesaving measure. In the event of a water emergency, knowing CPR can mean the difference between life and death while waiting for first responders to arrive.

Many organizations offer accessible CPR and first aid training, including the American Red Cross (redcross.org). Miami-Dade Fire Rescue offers free, two-hour Health Emergency Life Protection (HELP) training courses throughout the county that include basic hands-only CPR training and other first aid education. Visit miamidade.org to register or call 786-331-4425.

There are many ways to keep our children safe in and near water, and it starts with awareness and action. In a county surrounded by water, we all have a role to play in reaching zero drownings in Miami-Dade. Let’s make this summer the start of a lasting commitment — to education, supervision and ensuring every child in Miami-Dade grows up with the skills to survive and thrive in the water.

Natalia Zea serves as the Chief Public Policy & Engagement Officer for The Children’s Trust. She leads the organization’s efforts to build dynamic, collaborative partnerships with other funders, organizations, and stakeholders to leverage and expand resources to build a better Miami-Dade for children and families.