Child dies after being pulled from a Miami-Dade pool. Officials emphasize water safety

A 3-year-old girl died on Saturday morning after she presumably made her way into the backyard of a short-term-rental where her family was staying and fell into the pool — prompting authorities to remind the public of the importance of water safety.

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental deaths among children ages 1-14 in Miami-Dade County, according to Zero Drownings Miami-Dade, an initiative that offers free swim-safety lessons and water-safety campaigns.

“We’re asking members of the community to please, keep in mind, we live in South Florida,” MDSO spokesperson Detective Angel Rodriguez said on Saturday. “We’re surrounded by bodies of water.”

READ MORE: Toddler dies after being pulled from a backyard pool in Miami-Dade: MDSO

Rodriguez encouraged homeowners to ensure pools have proper locks, alarms and fencing and recommended swimming lessons for children to help them become more comfortable around water.

Drowning is fast, silent and preventable. According to Zero Drownings Miami-Dade, layered protection, education and constant supervision are the keys to keeping children and families safe around water.

Here are some drowning prevention and safe swimming tips provided by Zero Drownings Miami-Dade:

• Consult your pediatrician before enrolling your child in swim lessons.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends starting swim lessons as early as age 1
• Formal swim lessons reduce drowning risk by 88% for children ages 1-4.
• Water competency should be developed year-round, not just during summer.

Families should use multiple layers of protection including:

• Swim lessons
• Barriers and fencing
• Alarms
• Life jackets
• CPR and rescue training

Zero Drownings Miami-Dade offers instructions and resources on how to provide CPR to children. To learn more visit here.

An online American Red Cross water-safety course is offered in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole, per the initiative.

The group also provides free swim lessons for students in participating schools, camps and child-care centers. A full list of participating schools and centers and more swim safety tips and guides can be found on the organization’s website.

This story was originally published January 10, 2026 at 2:08 PM.