Multiple Organizations Host Water Safety Events, Swim Lessons Across North America

As drowning remains a leading cause of accidental death among young children in the U.S. and Canada, numerous community initiatives across the country are emphasizing water safety and swim education. The YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce is offering free community swims to promote water safety awareness during National Drowning Prevention Week, highlighting programs like Swim to Survive that teach essential survival skills to students. In Youngstown, Ohio, a lifeguard academy trains at-risk teens, many of whom lack basic swimming skills, to become lifeguards, addressing both employment and safety gaps in the community. South Florida's YMCA provides specialized swim classes for children with special needs, helping to build confidence and swimming ability through adaptive programs. In Central Georgia, infant swimming lessons focus on teaching young children critical self-rescue skills to reduce drowning risk. Meanwhile, Michigan's Goldfish Swim School offers free swim lessons on World Drowning Prevention Day to further combat child drownings, stressing the importance of swim lessons and home pool safety measures for families.