Drowning Prevention/ Water Safety

Water Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility!

Florida is 2^nd in the nation for drowning deaths of children ages 1-4 years of age from 2018-2021and ranks 5^th in the U.S. for unintentional drowning deaths¹.

Wandering tendencies, frequently noted among individuals with autism, present a substantial hazard near bodies of water. Research indicates that a notable portion of drowning incidents involving individuals with autism can be attributed to wandering or elopement². A person with Autism is 160 times more likely to drown than their neurotypical peer³.

WaterSmartFL—Water Safety is Everyone's Responsibility

The “Water Safety Is Everyone’s Responsibility” initiative works to educate parents, caregivers, and communities about drowning risks and prevention strategies along with how to be safe in and around the water. The campaign identifies layers of protection to increase water safety and reduce drownings:

• Supervision (have a water watcher)
• Barriers (around bodies of water)
• and Preparedness (CPR and water survival skills)

More information is available at watersmartfl.com.

Explore WaterSmartFL to learn the steps you can take to be water safe and protect Florida's children, residents, and visitors. Downloadable materials and information about state partners are also available on the website.

Resources:

• S. National Water Safety Action Plan
• WaterSmartFL
• CDC Drowning Prevention

1. _{Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Injury Center. WISQARS. Retrieved January 9,2024}
2. _{Anderson, C., Lawton, K., Cohen, C., & Arnold, S. (2020). Characteristics of Wandering/Elopement Behavior in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Children with Developmental Delays. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(11), 3931–3942.}
3. _{Autism Society of Florida (2022) Staying Safe: Near Water. Retrieved January 4, 2024, from https://www.autismfl.org/_files/ugd/cb0bfb_ad0f1ba46c3640c2a5aafc9ee6d47a3a.pdf}