Drowning is preventable. With the many pools, waterways, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water in Florida, surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, water safety is key in preventing drownings for visitors and residents alike. According to the CDC, Florida ranked 5th in the U.S. for unintentional drowning deaths with an age-adjusted rate of 2.2 per 100,000 population, behind Alaska (4.19), Hawaii (3.55), Montana (2.68), and Louisiana (2.52) for all ages in 2020 (CDC national injury data).

• Florida was ranked the highest in the U.S. for unintentional drowning death rate among children ages 1 to 4 years.

• Florida had the highest unintentional drowning death rate of among children 0 to 9 years of age compared to other states.

• Annually there are enough children under the age of 5 lost to drowning to fill three or four preschool classrooms.

• In addition, Florida was ranked 3rd in the U.S. for unintentional drowning death rate  among children ages 0 to 17 years of age.

• For adults 18+ years of age, Florida was ranked 4th in the U.S. for unintentional drowning death rate.

Water Safety & Swimming Certificatiion