Thursday, October 1, 2026
Summer may be entering its final stretch, but the danger around the water is not fading with the calendar. If anything, August is when families need to be even more vigilant.
As vacations wind down, backyard pool parties continue and families make the last couple of trips to the beach before school begins, it’s easy to become comfortable. That comfort can become complacency — and complacency around the water can be deadly.
The recent drowning deaths of two Long Island toddlers in separate backyard pool incidents, just days apart, were heartbreaking reminders that tragedy can strike in seconds. These weren’t simply accidents. They were urgent calls for every parent, grandparent and caregiver to renew their commitment to water safety.
There is one message that cannot be repeated often enough: There is no substitute for constant, undistracted adult supervision.
Drowning is often silent. A child doesn’t necessarily scream, splash or call for help. It can happen in less than a minute, while adults are talking, checking a cellphone, preparing food or assuming someone else is watching. That assumption is one of the greatest dangers at any pool or beach.
Every gathering around water should include a designated adult whose only responsibility is watching the children. Not grilling hamburgers, chatting with friends or taking photos. Watching the water. Families should even consider rotating a “water watcher” every 15 or 20 minutes so that responsibility is clear and attention remains sharp.
Parents should never rely solely on lifeguards. They are an essential safeguard, but lifeguards can’t monitor every swimmer at every moment. Young children and inexperienced swimmers should always remain within arm’s reach of a responsible adult.
Supervision alone, however, is not enough. Every layer of protection matters. Four-sided fencing with self-closing, self-latching gates should enclose residential pools. Doors leading directly to pools should have alarms whenever possible. When a pool is in use, all assigned “watchers” should have their phones off.
These measures are lifesaving barriers that prevent children from wandering into danger.
Children who are not confident swimmers should wear properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets whenever appropriate, particularly on boats or near open water. Inflatable toys, water wings and pool noodles are not safety devices, and should never be treated as substitutes for life jackets or supervision.
Swimming lessons are another critical investment. While no child is ever drown-proof, learning to swim significantly improves water competency and confidence. Adults who have never learned shouldn’t hesitate to take lessons themselves. Water safety is a lifelong responsibility.
Every household should also have someone trained in CPR. In a drowning emergency, immediate action before first responders arrive can save a life. CPR training is widely available through hospitals, fire departments and community organizations, and the time spent learning it may someday prove invaluable.
The ocean demands a high level of vigilance. Rip currents, changing tides and rough surf can overwhelm even experienced swimmers. Swim only at beaches protected by lifeguards, pay attention to warning flags and teach children never to enter the water without permission. Long Island’s beautiful coastline should be enjoyed, but it must never be underestimated.
Water hazards also exist beyond pools and beaches. Ponds, lakes, canals and even small inflatable kiddie pools require supervision. Young children can drown in only a few inches of water. Kiddie pools should be emptied immediately after use, and standing water should never be left unattended.
Before every trip to the pool or beach, families should take a few minutes to review basic safety rules. Those conversations may seem repetitive, but repetition saves lives. Summer’s final weeks should be remembered for laughter, family gatherings and time spent together — not preventable tragedy. Every child who jumps into the water deserves every reasonable protection the adults around it can provide.
