Central Shenandoah Health District Shares Summer Water Safety Tips

Healthy and Safe Swimming Week is May 18-24

STAUNTON, Va. — As summer gets ready to start, the Central Shenandoah Health District (CSHD) is urging families to make water safety part of every day. Drowning happens fast and quietly, and it remains a leading cause of death for young children. But with simple steps, most drownings can be prevented.

“Prevention is vital when it comes to water safety,” says Xavier Crockett, Health Director at CSHD. “Proper safety, supervision, and knowing how to swim are key components to staying safe in the water.”

From 2020 to 2024, 473 Virginians died from drowning. Drownings can happen anywhere and children are especially at risk. Last year, the Virginia Department of Health reported a six-year high of 12 pool drownings in children 0 to 5 years old.

Drowning Prevention Tips:

• Make sure kids and adults have basic swimming and water safety skills.
• Actively supervise children in or near water. Designate a responsible adult to be the water watcher and watch the kids in the water without distractions. It’s easy to get pulled away by conversation or a quick glance at a screen.
• Never swim alone. Always swim with a buddy. If something happens, having a friend with you could save your life.
• Use U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jackets when needed.
• Know how to recognize and respond to a swimmer in distress and how to perform CPR.
• Don’t drink and swim. Alcohol slows your reactions and can make you make bad decisions. Stay out of the water if you’ve been drinking.

Many Virginians visit the beach for vacation in the summertime. The ocean, while fun and relaxing, can also be dangerous and unpredictable due to open water, waves, and changing currents. Swimmers should take extra precautions when swimming in the ocean.

Ocean Swimming Safety Tips

• Swim at a lifeguarded beach. A lifeguarded beach significantly decreases the risk of drowning.
• Know how to identify and escape a rip current. A rip current is a fast-moving channel of water that flows away from the beach and towards the ocean. Swimmers should remain calm, float, and either swim parallel to the shore or wave to a lifeguard for help. Talk to a lifeguard about where the rip currents are on your beach before entering the water.
• Listen to regulations. If the beach is closed due to water safety, the guidelines are in place to keep people safe.
• Check your local Beach Map for water quality updates before you go.
• Know your limits. Knowing your skill level in open water will help you decide if you should swim or not.
• If someone in the ocean needs help, call 9-1-1.

Make water safety a habit. Take the safe swimming pledge and help protect your family and community.

For more safety tips, please visit swimhealthyva.com.