- Categories:
- Cause
- Tags:
- AwarenessHealthSafety
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every July 25
- Holiday emoji:
- 🏊♀️
National Drowning Prevention Day is observed every July 25, raising crucial awareness about the catastrophic effects of drowning and highlighting life-saving prevention methods. This day calls on communities to educate themselves on water safety, implement preventative measures, and support initiatives that protect individuals, especially children, from this preventable tragedy. Learn how to make a difference and prevent drowning in your community.
Want to sponsor National Drowning Prevention Day? Learn how
Expected National Drowning Prevention Day Deals
As a vital awareness day, National Drowning Prevention Day focuses on education and community support rather than commercial deals. Organizations like the American Red Cross, Safe Kids Worldwide, and the YMCA often host free water safety workshops, CPR training sessions, and distribute educational materials. Look for local pools and community centers to offer discounted or free swim lessons. Brands such as Speedo and Goldfish Swim School may partner with non-profits to amplify safety messages or offer special promotions on safety gear and lessons. Support these initiatives by donating to reputable water safety organizations or participating in local awareness campaigns. We will update this page with confirmed live events and resources as July 25 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Drowning Prevention Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalDrowningPreventionDay. Share infographics with water safety tips, post videos of swim lessons, or highlight local community events.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalDrowningPreventionDay. Create a community event for local water safety workshops or share personal stories of prevention and survival.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #NationalDrowningPreventionDay. Share quick facts about drowning statistics, retweet safety campaigns from official organizations, and advocate for policy changes.
National Drowning Prevention Day Hero
Dr. Harvey Barnett
History of National Drowning Prevention Day
World Drowning Prevention Day, established in April 2021 by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution ‘Global drowning prevention’ is observed in July every year.
This global advocacy event provides an opportunity to highlight the devastating and profound impact that drowning has on families and communities, as well as to propose life-saving measures to help prevent it from happening again. An estimated 236,000 people drown each year, making drowning one of the top ten leading causes of death among children and adolescents aged one to 24 years.
Drowning disproportionately affects children and adolescents in rural areas, with more than 90% of drowning deaths occurring in rivers, lakes, springs, wells, and home water storage vessels in low- and middle-income nations.
World Drowning Day’s objectives include providing safe places away from water, such as childcare centers for pre-school children with capable childcare, teaching swimming, water safety, secured lifesaving skills, coaching bystanders in safe rescue and resuscitation, establishing and implementing safe boating, shipping, and ferry regulations, and improving flood risk management.
According to a recent U.N. General Assembly decision, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been requested to coordinate drowning prevention efforts across the whole United Nations system. WHO fulfills this role by planning a global launch event, generating relevant advocacy materials, and promoting national and local actions in nations and communities worldwide. It supports individuals and organizations in understanding the global context of drowning and drowning prevention, as well as in using the advocacy materials created for the event to improve what they are doing and inspire others in their networks to do the same.
National Drowning Prevention Day timeline
George Douglas Freeth establishes the first lifeguard training program at Redondo Beach, California.
The United States Military adopts mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
California surf lifeguards establish the United States Lifesaving Association to improve lifesaving efforts and drowning prevention by standardizing beach lifeguard practices, educating the public about water safety and increasing professional standards among beach lifeguard organizations nationwide.
The World Health Organization (WHO) creates the “Global Report on Drowning.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) publishes “Preventing drowning: an implementation guide.”
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Drowning Prevention Day
Local businesses can play a crucial role in promoting water safety on National Drowning Prevention Day. Swim schools and community pools can offer free introductory lessons or discounted safety courses. Retailers selling swimwear or pool supplies can host in-store events with water safety experts, distribute educational brochures, or donate a portion of sales to local drowning prevention charities. Restaurants might feature ‘Water Safety’ themed drinks or menu items, using the opportunity to share safety tips with patrons. Emphasize education and community engagement rather than purely commercial efforts.
National Drowning Prevention Day FAQs
When is National Drowning Prevention Day?
National Drowning Prevention Day 2026 falls on Saturday, July 25, urging everyone to prioritize water safety during peak summer activity. This annual observance serves as a critical reminder for families and communities.
How many people drown each year?
Globally, an estimated 236,000 individuals drown each year, making it one of the leading causes of unintentional injury death. This stark figure underscores the urgent need for effective prevention strategies.
Who is most at risk of drowning?
Children aged five to 14 are among the most vulnerable to drowning fatalities, and toxicological studies indicate that children and adolescents from rural areas face higher risks than urban dwellers. Lack of supervision and access to safety resources contribute to these disparities.
What are the layers of drowning prevention?
Effective drowning prevention relies on multiple ‘layers of protection,’ including constant adult supervision, proper fencing around pools, learning to swim, wearing life jackets, and knowing CPR. Implementing these layers significantly reduces risk.
How to Observe National Drowning Prevention Day
Use the hashtag #DrowningPrevention
According to the World Health Organization, the hashtag #DrowningPrevention should be used on social media, particularly on National Drowning Prevention Day. This helps to broaden the event's reach.
Attend a training
As one of the major causes of death in children and young people, it is critical to receive training that will prepare you to know what steps to do next. The training will teach practical and lifesaving ways of avoiding drowning. You can also send your child or children to be trained.
Raise awareness
There are so many unsettling stats about drowning —most of which are preventable. So National Drowning Prevention Day raises awareness of drowning and how prevalent it can be especially among young people.
5 Shocking Facts About Drowning
It impacts children and adolescents
Drowning is one of the top ten killers of children and adolescents aged one to 24 worldwide.
Millions of deaths
Drowning has claimed the lives of more than 2.5 million people in the last decade, making it a major global problem that used to be mostly ignored.
Yearly estimate
The number of persons that drown each year is estimated to be 236,000.
Life jackets
Life jackets are designed to keep you afloat in water; they will automatically turn you face-up, keeping your mouth and nostrils clear of the water to prevent drowning.
Bathtubs
After pools, bathtubs are the second leading location where young children drown, however, buckets, bath seats, wells, cisterns, septic tanks, decorative ponds, and toilets are also potential drowning sources for infants and toddlers.
Why National Drowning Prevention Day is Important
It helps spread the word
National Drowning Prevention Day raises awareness of the deadly consequences of drowning. This day provides practical and lifesaving methods for preventing drowning, and the best part is that these may be shared both online and offline.
It encourages strict supervision of children
Barricades surrounding backyard pools are recommended because children can gain access to them without their parents' knowledge if there are no barriers in place. In any aquatic environment, including the bathtub, it is critical to provide adequate supervision.
Emergency training
It encourages more people to take training to know how to react during such emergencies and safeguard the lives of people affected by drownings. A lifeguard's instruction on water safety can significantly minimize the number of drownings that occur in the community.
Social Media Tips for National Drowning Prevention Day
Individuals
Creators
Brands