TRENTON, NJ – As New Jersey families head to beaches, pools, lakes, and waterparks to beat the summer heat, State officials are urging parents and caregivers to make water safety a top priority.

“We encourage everyone to enjoy the water this season while remembering that swimming safety starts with preparedness and awareness. By following safety guidelines, supervising children closely, and paying attention to posted warnings, we can prevent accidents and protect lives,” said Dr. Raynard Washington, New Jersey Health Commissioner. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 years in the United States. In New Jersey alone, an average of 10 children under the age of 14 years drown each year, with dozens more experiencing near-drowning incidents. 

Significant racial, ethnic, and neurological disparities also exist in drowning rates. American Indian/Alaska Native and Black/African American children experience higher rates of fatal drowning compared to other racial and ethnic groups. The risk of drowning for children with autism is more than 160 times greater when compared to the general child population. Kids with autism, and male children in particular, are naturally drawn to water due to its sensory effects and may wander away from caregivers and their homes. Statistics show that 91% of drownings were due to wandering-related deaths. 

With drowning ranking among the leading causes of injury-related death for children nationwide, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is highlighting crucial strategies to help protect young lives this summer:

1.    Swim in Guarded Areas: Swimming in areas supervised by a lifeguard significantly reduces the risk of fatal drowning. Data collected by the NJDOH from regulated bathing facilities between 2018 and 2025 indicate that the presence of a lifeguard reduces the risk of fatal drowning by about 59%. While lifeguards are trained to respond in emergencies, they are not a substitute for attentive supervision by parents or caregivers. To find lifeguarded natural bathing areas in New Jersey, visit: njbeaches.njdep.rutgers.edu.

2.    Provide constant, undistracted supervision: Adults should always stay within arm’s reach of young swimmers – avoid texting, reading, or scrolling. Assign one adult at a time to focus exclusively on monitoring children in the water even when lifeguards are present.

3.    Install barriers or alarms around pools: Install fencing with self-closing and self-latching gates at least four feet tall around home pools. Proper fencing can prevent more than 80% of child drownings at home pools. Door locks and alarms add additional security.

4.    Enroll your child in swimming lessons: Children benefit from swim instruction. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly encourages swim lessons to reduce drowning risk, especially for children ages 1 to 4 years.

5.    Make sure your child wears a life jacket: Children should wear approved life jackets when boating and/or swimming in bodies of open water. Life jackets can be worn by weaker swimmers of all ages in and around natural water and swimming pools. Do not rely on air-filled or foam toys, as these are not safety devices. Arm floaties or water wings are strongly discouraged; they can promote unsafe body positioning, are easily dislodged, and do not meet U.S. Coast Guard safety standards. Life jackets should match the users’ chest size and weight to properly provide the necessary support and help prevent drowning.

6.    Learn CPR: In emergencies, bystander CPR can improve a drowning victim’s chances of survival. Parents and caregivers should all be trained in CPR and basic water rescue techniques. CPR classes can be accessed, often for free, through the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, and many other organizations. 

In 2025, NJDOH launched a statewide water safety campaign through social media outreach and a comprehensive Water Safety Toolkit  to address the rising number of water-related incidents in public aquatic settings. NJDOH also played an active role in developing the Water Safety Strategy by the New Jersey Swim Safety Alliance (NJSSA), which aims to reduce drowning incidents by 30% by the year 2030. 

The New Jersey Department of Children and Families (NJDCF) is working with the New Jersey Department of Education, NJSSA, and the New Jersey Chapter of the American Red Cross to develop an educational fact sheet on water safety for public and nonpublic schools under a law signed earlier this year.

“Children naturally prioritize fun over safety, and as parents, caregivers, and professionals dedicated to the health and public safety of our state—all of us—we all must do our part to ensure children and parents are fully prepared,” said NJDCF Acting Commissioner Joseph E. Ribsam Jr. “Together we can keep kids safe around water, by raising awareness about simple, and essential, lifesaving practices, such as early enrollment in swimming lessons, proper use of a life jacket, appointing a designated water watcher, and other critical steps in protecting our youth.”

NJDCF has officially launched its 2026 Water Safety Campaign, “Keep Me Safe,” in an effort to remind parents and caregivers to practice water safety when infants, children, and youth are in or around bodies of water and to combat preventable drownings. To raise awareness, NJDCF has a water safety poster that it is available online, on social media, and through its robust provider network. Materials can be downloaded for free. 

Collectively, these initiatives are designed to raise awareness, encourage safer behaviors around water, and ultimately save lives. 

# # #

About New Jersey Department of Health

The New Jersey Department of Health is a nationally accredited health department working to ensure that all New Jerseyans live long, healthy lives and reach their fullest potential. With more than 6,000 employees, the Department serves to protect the public’s health, promote healthy communities, and continue to improve the quality of health care in New Jersey. 

Follow the New Jersey Department of Health on X (formerly Twitter) @njdeptofhealth, Facebook /njdeptofhealth, Instagram @njdeptofhealth, LinkedIn /company/njdeptofhealth, Threads @njdeptofhealth, and YouTube @njdeptofhealth. 

About New Jersey Department of Children and Families

The New Jersey Department of Children and Families is the state’s Cabinet-level agency devoted exclusively to serving and supporting children and families. NJDCF is comprised of approximately 6,600 staff who are focused on and committed to assisting and empowering residents to be safe, healthy and connected.