FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 17, 2025
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Health Encourages Families to Take the Pool Safely Pledge
Commonwealth Continues to See an Increase in Small Children Drownings in Pools
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is urging parents and caregivers to take the Pool Safely Pledge (en Español) as the Commonwealth continues to see a concerning rise in accidental drownings among children under the age of five in swimming pools.
Pool Safely is a national public education campaign led by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to help prevent child drownings and entrapments in pools and spas.
The pledge – available for both adults and children – takes less than a minute and reinforces simple, life-saving safety practices.
The adult pledge includes commitment to:
- Designate a water watcher every single time children in their care are in or near the water.
- Make sure their kids know how to swim.
- Learn CPR.
- Always remove portable pool ladders when not in use.
- Ensure all permanent pools have a proper fence and gate and anti-entrapment drain covers.
The children’s pledge includes reminders to:
- Never swim alone.
- Ask their parents to sign them up for swimming lessons.
- Stay away from drains in the pool or hot tub.
- Have fun and always follow these safety steps in and around the water.
To date, eight children under age five have accidentally drowned in Virginia pools in 2025, an increase from the last three years (three in 2024, two in 2023, and four in 2022.)
“The tragic rise in drowning deaths of young children demands that we all become extra vigilant about pool safety,” said VDH Chief Deputy Commissioner for Community Health Services Susan Fischer Davis, MD. “Have fun at the pool – but always be alert to risks, especially with young children.”
Drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages one to four. From 2022 through 2024, an estimated average of 6,300 children under age 15 years were treated annually in U.S. emergency departments (EDs) for nonfatal drowning-related injuries. Seventy-three percent of those children were under age five.
In Virginia, on average, one person drowns every four days. Drownings happen quickly – often silently. Take action now. Take the Pool Safely Pledge today and commit to protecting your family this summer.
Visit swimhealthyva.com for more information. Swim safe. Stay safe!
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