Nassau County officials discuss pool, water safety

As the summer swim season begins, Nassau County officials are providing tips to ensure a safe, enjoyable time in the water.

County Executive Bruce Blakeman spoke at Wantagh Park Pool on June 25 to discuss general water safety for county residents as pools open and beaches fill with students on summer vacation. According to Blakeman, Long Island has already seen numerous water-related accidents and injuries this year.

Six non-fatal drownings have occurred this year, according to county reports. These incidents are just a few of many water-related accidents over the years.

“Every year we hear of accidental drownings,” Blakeman said. “We hear of children in pools who have drowned. We hear about boating accidents, young people not wearing their life preservers.”

The county reported nine non-fatal drownings last year, with six occurring in pools. Most of the incidents, according to Blakeman, involved children and infants.

“It is something that happens,” Blakeman said. “So let’s try to avoid it.”

To stay safe, Blakeman advises keeping an eye on children near a pool or body of water. He recommends life preservers for children and pool alarm systems for added security. Alarms are available for pool gates, and wave sensors can detect when someone jumps in the pool.

Early education is also important for swim safety, Blakeman said.

“Get your kids into swim lessons and floating lessons early,” he said.

Supervision is recommended even in large groups, Blakeman noted. For pool parties, he suggests hiring a lifeguard or assigning someone to watch swimmers in case of distress.

Joining Blakeman was Stew Leonard Jr., president and CEO of the Connecticut-based supermarket chain Stew Leonard’s. Leonard shared a personal experience with drowning: in 1989, his 21-month-old son, Stew Leonard III, died in a pool drowning accident.

The following year, Leonard and his wife, Kim, founded the Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation in memory of their son. The foundation raises money for water safety awareness and education initiatives and funds lifeguard training and swim lessons for children in need every year.

Supervising children is crucial, as is education, Leonard said. He emphasized the importance of teaching kids to roll on their backs in the water so they can float.

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4, and the second-leading cause of death for children ages 5 to 14, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC estimates around 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths occur each year in the U.S., averaging 11 deaths per day. Most of these deaths happen during the summer months from June to August, when warmer weather brings swimmers to pools and beaches.

According to a CDC statement released last month, drownings have increased since the pandemic. Over 4,500 people in the United States drowned each year from 2020 to 2022 — 500 more deaths per year than in 2019. Roughly 15% of adults do not know how to swim, and over half have never taken a lesson, the CDC reports.

County officials also addressed other water safety concerns, such as boating accidents. Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said the county’s Police Marine Bureau has added extra staff for the summer months. The bureau will patrol the north and south shores and will also monitor canals, ponds, and lakes.

“The boats will be out there,” Ryder said. “If you need them, you can reach out. Call 911 or use the marine channel, and our boats will respond to help you.”

Blakeman added that boaters should be responsible when operating their vessels this summer.

“Don’t drink and pilot your boat,” Blakeman said. “You will get arrested. It is illegal. It’s the same thing as driving while intoxicated.”