Vigilance is Necessary to Protect Children and Teens

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. With drowning ranking among the leading causes of injury-related death for children nationwide, the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) are sounding the alarm and sharing crucial strategies to help protect young lives this summer.

“Summer is a time for fun, but it can turn tragic in an instant if safety measures aren’t followed,” said DCF Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer. “Drowning is often silent and quick - it can happen in under 30 seconds. Vigilance is absolutely essential.”

“As we enjoy the water this season, it’s important to remember that swimming safety starts with awareness and preparation. We encourage everyone to follow safety guidelines, supervise children closely, and pay attention to posted warnings to prevent accidents and protect lives,” said Acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 in the United States. In New Jersey alone, an average of 10 children under the age of 15 years drown each year, with dozens more experiencing near-drowning incidents. Significant racial and ethnic 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.

“One child lost to drowning is too many,” said Assistant Commissioner for the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, Laura Jamet. “In nearly 90% of child drownings, there is at least one adult present but not attentive. These tragedies are almost always preventable.”

The risk of drowning is even greater for children with autism. According to a 2017 study by Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, 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. 

Teens also face high drowning risks, especially boys in open water settings. The National Drowning Prevention Alliance has found that more drownings occur in natural bodies of water than in any other setting. Risk factors can include overconfidence, alcohol use, and lack of supervision. In fact, the CDC reports that drowning rates are nearly six times higher for males than females aged 15–19 years.

“Many parents may assume teens are safer swimmers, but overestimating their abilities and maturity can be deadly,” said Tamika Young, Manager of DCF’s Fatality & Critical Incident Review Units.

To raise awareness, DCF has a water safety poster that it is sharing online, on social media, and through its robust provider network. Materials can be downloaded for free. NJDOH also 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. On April 16, 2025, Governor Murphy also officially designated May 2025 as Water Safety Month.

NJDOH also played an active role in the development of the Water Safety Strategy by the New Jersey Swim Safety Alliance, making New Jersey only the third state in the nation to establish a comprehensive drowning prevention plan. This strategy aims to reduce drowning incidents by 30% by the year 2030.

Data collected by the NJDOH from regulated bathing facilities between 2018 and 2024 indicate that the presence of a lifeguard reduces the risk of fatal drowning by 81%. Just as a storm shelter may go unused until the moment it's needed, a lifeguard’s presence can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency.

Collectively, these initiatives are designed to raise awareness, encourage safer behaviors around water, and ultimately save lives. The free Water Safety Toolkit is available on the NJDOH Public Recreational Bathing website.

Below are additional strategies to stay alert with children around water:

1. Swim in Guarded Areas

Swimming in areas supervised by a lifeguard significantly reduces the risk of fatal drowning—by as much as 81%. 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 up to 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 1-4 years.

5. Make sure your child uses a life jacket

When boating and/or swimming in bodies of open water, children should wear approved life jackets, in addition to being closely supervised. Life jackets can also be used 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 in order 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. 

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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 5,500 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.