#PreventDrowning Day of Action

May 2023

T4CIP’s fifth Day of Action was on May 15, 2023 about drowning prevention. It coincided with International Water Safety Day and Prevent Child Injury’s Open Water Swimming outreach week. In addition to in-person local events across the U.S., the Day of Action had 257 participants and more than 1,300 posts across social media.

T4CIP trainees were asked to promote #PreventDrowning messages during a targeted Day of Action, but these materials are available to use year-round.

Lead Topic Expert
Dr. Sarah Denny
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Click here for additional topic experts.

Dr. Sarah Denny headshot
Graphic promoting #PreventDrowning Day of Action on May 15, 2023, featuring activities like Twitter chats, webinars, TikTok posts, community partnerships, water safety fairs, outreach programs, social media takeovers, life jacket fittings, swim lesson sign-ups, and more.

Social Media Graphics

Download the graphics by clicking your preferred size (Instagram post, Instagram story, X post) and language (English or Spanish).

Infographic about drowning risks. Shows pool with ladder, open water with adult and child playing on the beach, and bathtub with toys. Text states drowning is top cause of injury-related death in children 1-4 years old. Includes hashtag #PreventDrowning.
Promotional image for swim lessons featuring a child in swim goggles and cap smiling with an instructor in a pool. Text encourages swimming skills for life and directs to USASwimming.org for more information. Includes hashtag #PreventDrowning.

Coordinate transportation to lessons

Lifeguard/Swim Instructor

Three images promoting adaptive swim lessons. The top text reads 'Swim lessons look different for everyone. Learn about your community and what they need to be successful in the water.' The first image shows a person in a swimsuit using crutches near a pool. The second image is of a child in a wheelchair smiling by the pool. The third image depicts a person holding a child in a swimming pool. The bottom text includes 'T4CIP Trainees for Child Injury Prevention' and '#PreventDrowning.'
A group of older adults in a swimming pool learning to swim with the text "It's never too late to learn how to swim. Be a role model for the children in your life. Find swim lessons near you today." The image promotes swimming lessons and features a hashtag #PreventDrowning and a logo for T4CIP, Trainees for Child Injury Prevention.

Lessons look different for everyone

Never too late to learn to swim

Give them a skill they’ll
have for life

#1 cause of injury-related death

Collage of images promoting water safety, featuring diverse groups of people in swimming and lifeguard attire at a pool. Includes a lifeguard training image, people in life vests, and swim instructions. Text encourages becoming a swim instructor or lifeguard, with a link to RedCross.org/TakeAClass and hashtag #PreventDrowning. T4CIP logo in corner.
Illustration promoting swimming lessons accessibility, featuring three children holding hands in front of a yellow school bus, wearing swim goggles. Text reads, "Everyone should have the opportunity to learn to swim. Make swim lessons accessible in your community by coordinating transportation from school or daycare to the pool." "#PreventDrowning" and "T4CIP" logos are included.
Accessibility icon with a human figure and a checkmark inside a green circle.

Additional Outreach Materials

Taking care of natural hair - swim caps

Finding adaptive swim lessons

Infographic titled 'Finding Swim Lessons: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers of Children with Disabilities.' It offers tips on finding swim programs, using networks, and questions to ask. Key sections include 'Ask Your Network' with advice on using word of mouth, community centers, and professionals. There's a 'Questions to Ask' section about lesson timing, instructor qualifications, pool accessibility, group lessons, and curriculum flexibility. Developed by T4CIP with contributors Marilyn Bull and Erika Kemp.
Infographic on how to put on a swim cap for natural hair. Steps include: 1. Start with hair in protective style. 2. Pinch cap and hold against forehead. 3. Stretch cap over head. 4. Adjust cap for comfort.
Image of a drowning prevention quiz for parents and providers, featuring questions about pool safety, supervision around water, and bathtub safety.
Summary of AAP policy briefs on drowning prevention for providers, including key topics, recommendations for families, and at-risk children demographics by age and gender.
Social media template with the text 'I #PreventDrowning by...' featuring a life jacket graphic and the hashtag #PreventDrowning. T4CIP logo for Trainees for Child Injury Prevention is included.

Learn about the fundamentals of drowning prevention from experts:

  • Dr. Ben Hoffman (Oregon Health & Science University)

  • Dr. Sarah Denny (Nationwide Children’s Hospital)

  • Dr. Adam Katchmarchi (National Drowning Prevention Alliance)

  • Tiffaney Isaacson (Phoenix Children’s)

  • Leland Brown (USA Swimming)