TAMPA, Fla. — The number of unintentional children drowning deaths in Florida is the highest in the nation.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, more children ages 1–4 die from drowning than any other cause of death.
What You Need To Know
- CDC: More children ages 1–4 die from drowning than any other cause of death
- Florida has the highest unintentional drowning death rate for children in the nation, per FDOH
- RELATED STORY: Youngest daughter of Bucs linebacker Shaq Barrett drowns in family pool
- For more information on Watermelon Swim’s Programs for both children and adults, click here to visit their website
And Florida has the highest unintentional drowning death rate for children in the nation, according to the Florida Department of Health.
The latest polls show that it’s children under the age of five that are dying at a higher rate. That number increased 30% from previous years.
“Florida is number one in the country and Hillsborough County is number one in the state for childhood drownings,” said Tamera Grundhoefer, of Watermelon Swim. “Our mission is to grow a safer community of swimmers.”
Studies show learning to swim at an early age, decreases risk of drowning by 80%.
The owners at Watermelon Swim in Tampa said more parents are bringing their children in to learn how to swim early age.
“If you have an infant from 0-6 months, we offer free swim lessons,” said Grundhoefer.
Swim instructors encourage parents to acclimate their kids to water as early as possible.
“People think accidents can only happen in the pool or at beaches but it can also happen in a toilet, in the bath tub,” said Madison Munoz, a swim instructor at Watermelon Swim. “All access to water can lead to a drowning accident.
“We teach safety, survival and swimming.”