06/10/2025
It’s that water safety time of year! Some light reading for you all.
Overview on Drowning Prevention, and Tips to Stay Safe!
• Drowning is 100% preventable. Warm weather brings people to pools, lakes, rivers, and saltwater recreational areas—some of which pose serious risks.
Know the Risks
• Cold water danger: King County rivers and lakes can be dangerously cold, leading to muscle failure and shock—even for strong swimmers.
• Hidden hazards: Rivers may appear calm but have strong currents, root balls, log jams, and hidden boulders. Sometimes, the safest choice is not entering the water.
• Snowmelt impact: Although the snowpack is smaller than usual, melting will continue to create risky river conditions through spring and early summer.
• Raft safely: If rafting, use a professional guide who understands river safety.
• Check lifeguard status: Not all beaches have lifeguards. Swimming at lifeguarded beaches is the safest option. Check King County Area Public Lifeguarded Beaches & Summer Outdoor Pools for updates. King County Lifeguarded beaches and public pools (https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dph/health-safety/safety-injury-prevention/water-safety/data) (2025 list coming end of May)
• Obey safety warnings: Follow signs, notices, and flags, including lake closures due to pollution.
Enhance Water Safety
• Learn to float and tread water for at least 10 minutes—Enroll children in swim lessons. Talk with kids about swimming risks, especially when they try to keep up with more experienced swimmers.
• Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket when in or near the water. Inflatable toys like “water wings” and “noodles” are NOT life jackets.
Life jacket rules:
• By law, children 12 and younger must wear a life jacket in vessels under 19 feet long.
• Borrow life jackets from WA State Parks Loaner Stations.
• Find life jacket discounts online at Life Jacket Loaner Program (https://parks.wa.gov/about/rules-and-safety/boater-education-safety/life-jacket-loaner-program) | Washington State Parks.
• Always supervise children closely when they are near water—adults should take turns for focused child supervision at social events.
Avoid Alcohol & Drugs During Water Activities
• Most recent King County drowning deaths involved alcohol or drugs.
• Alcohol & drugs impair balance, coordination, judgment, and the ability to respond in emergencies.
Learn First Aid & CPR
• Full CPR (compressions + breaths) is best for drowning victims. Chest compressions are better than no CPR at all.
• Seconds count—start lifesaving CPR immediately. Dial 911 in an emergency.
Updated Statistics
King County
• In 2024, 25 people died from preventable drownings, continuing an increase from 16 deaths in 2018.
• Most involved alcohol, drugs, or both.
• Most occurred in open waters—rivers, lakes, ponds, or Puget Sound.
• Summer is the riskiest season, with June, July, and August accounting for 76 of 190 deaths (2018-2024).
• If approved, the King County Parks levy renewal (2026-2031) will allocate $68 million toward aquatic facilities, increasing access to pools and swim lessons.
Washington State
• In 2023, 120 Washington residents died from preventable drownings.
• Drowning is the number 1 cause of unintentional injury death for ages 1-4 and fifth cause of death for ages 5-14.
• Learn more about Water Safety Day - No More Under | Washington State Parks (https://www.nomoreunder.org/watersafetyday).
Learn about water safety day.
