To combat the rising number of child drownings, Florida officials are implementing new water safety measures. According to Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, 46 children have died from drowning in 2024, emphasizing the need for prevention. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death among children aged one to four, with most incidents occurring in swimming pools. To address this, officials are advocating for swimming lessons, public education on lifesaving techniques like CPR and first aid, and awareness of weather conditions and rip tides.
Recent incidents in Broward County and Fort Lauderdale highlight the ongoing risks, and a new law set to take effect on July 1 will establish a swimming-lesson voucher program to assist low-income families in accessing swimming education for their children. The state Department of Health will organize a network of providers for swimming lessons, aiming to prevent future tragedies. The vouchers aim to assist families earning up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, facilitating access to swimming education for young children.
