More than 4,000 Americans die from drowning each year, with children making up a significant number of victims.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more children ages 1 to 4 die from drowning than from any other cause of death. Drowning also is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 5 to 14, the CDC reports.
But there are measures parents can take to reduce the chances of their child dying from drowning—formal swimming lessons from a certified instructor are the most recommended. But children who have had swimming lessons still need close and constant supervision when in or around water, the CDC says.
Last year in Florida, a record-breaking 120 drownings were reported to the Department of Children and Families, according to statistics DCF provided to legislators. And nearly 80% of those deaths were children younger than age 3, according to DCF’s website. That’s despite a new law passed in 2000 that required specific pool safety features for children in all new construction from that year on.
Florida has the most drownings in recent years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and is fourth in the nation in drowning rates. Alaska ranks first.
The week of June 7, four children drowned in Florida: two sisters, ages 5 and 8, in Pensacola, a 1-year-old boy in Jacksonville, and a 2-year-old boy in Fort Pierce.
Lawmakers have taken action to reduce the drowning rate.
Bipartisan legislation takes effect July 1 that expands the state’s swim lesson voucher program. The program reimburses eligible parents for the cost of enrolling children in swimming lessons with a certified instructor.
Now, income-eligible children between the ages of 1 and 7 can get free lessons. The voucher program had been limited to children age 4 and under.
In the Pensacola area, swimming lessons are available for children as young as 6 months old. Parents also have several options for group or private swimming and water safety lessons.
Some of the options include:
If we missed your certified children’s swimming classes, email Mary Lett at mmabins@gannett.com.
Pensacola News Journal reporter Brandon Girod contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Florida reimbursing families for swim lessons. Where to learn in Pensacola
Reporting by Mary Lett, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
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By Mary Lett, Pensacola News Journal | USA TODAY Network
