Ten Florida children lost to drowning since the Fourth of July

Disability Advocacy & Support Specialists (DASS) is urging Florida families and community recreational programs to take immediate action to protect their children after a heartbreaking increase in child drowning deaths.

Since the Fourth of July alone, 10 children have died from drowning in Florida. That brings the total number of child drowning deaths in the state this year to 72. Behind every one of those numbers is a child whose life ended far too soon, and a family and community forever changed.
"Every drowning is devastating because so many are preventable," said Stacey Hoaglund, president of Disability Advocacy & Support Specialists. "Our hope is that sharing these stories will encourage families to take simple but critical steps that could save a child's life."

Florida's beautiful weather also means families are surrounded by water. Whether it's a backyard pool, a neighbor's pool, a canal across the street, a retention pond in the neighborhood, or even a bathtub, water hazards are often only a few steps away.

DASS encourages parents and caregivers to remember these important safety tips:
• Never underestimate your child. Children often surprise adults with their ability to unlock doors, climb over barriers, or leave the home unnoticed even when parents believe they cannot.
• Install and use door alarms. Keep alarms activated on all doors leading outside, and ensure pool gates remain locked and self-latching.

• Always assign a designated "Water Watcher." One responsible adult should actively supervise children around water without distractions from phones, conversations, or other activities.
• Remember that medical emergencies can happen in the water. More than one-third of individuals with autism also have epilepsy, and a child's first seizure could occur while swimming.
• Make swim lessons a priority. Swimming lessons provide an important layer of protection, although no child is ever considered "drown-proof."
• Learn CPR. Immediate CPR before first responders arrive can save lives. Keep an emergency checklist on your refrigerator so family members know exactly what to do during a crisis.
• Consider personal tracking devices for children who have a history of wandering or elopement.
"We often hear parents say, 'I never thought it could happen to me,'" Hoaglund said. "Unfortunately, many of the families who have lost a child felt exactly the same way. Taking a few preventive steps today could mean the difference between a close call and a lifelong tragedy."
Disability Advocacy & Support Specialists encourages every Florida family to review their water safety plan before the next trip to the pool, beach, or backyard gathering.

About Disability Advocacy & Support Specialists
Disability Advocacy & Support Specialists (DASS) is a Florida nonprofit organization dedicated
to empowering individuals with disabilities and their families through advocacy, education, and
community support. The organization works to improve outcomes for children and adults with
disabilities while promoting safety, inclusion, and access to needed resources.