VA. (WSET) — As swim season gets underway, the Virginia Department of Health is urging families to put safety first before heading to pools by taking its Safe Swimming Pledge.
The department’s push follows 12 accidental drownings reported last year for children ages 0-5, the highest number Virginia has seen in six years.
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Brianna Bill, an environmental health coordinator with the Virginia Department of Health, said active supervision is one of the most important steps in preventing drownings.
“This pledge essentially is a promise that people make to never leave children unattended when they’re near the water and to always remain within arm’s reach, especially for our smaller kiddos,” Bill said.
The Safe Swimming Pledge also includes assigning a designated water watcher, learning CPR, and making sure home pools are protected with proper fencing and gates.
