UPDATED: Join VCSO For Community Discussion On Child Drowning Prevention

Date Added: April 24, 2019 2:30 pm

Andrew Gant
Office of Public Affairs & Media Relations

JOIN VCSO FOR COMMUNITY DISCUSSION ON CHILD DROWNING PREVENTION

As Florida swimming season arrives, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a community discussion on preventing child drownings, with experts available to answer questions and provide potentially life-saving advice.

The event is 6 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at Deltona City Hall (2345 Providence Blvd.), to be followed by our monthly public CompStat meeting on recent cases and crime trends across Volusia County.

Unfortunately, Florida is the national leader in drowning deaths of children 4 and under. For that young age group, drowning is the leading cause of death in Florida. The number of children who drown in our state each year could fill 3 to 4 preschool classrooms, according to the Florida Department of Health. These drownings include deaths in swimming pools and other bodies of water; infants have drowned in bathtubs and even buckets.

In Volusia County, 18 children age 4 and younger drowned between 2011 and 2017, according to the latest DOH figures. While the rate has been on the decline since a peak of 6 deaths in 2011, we want to urge parents, friends and other family members of young children to stay vigilant and know what they can do to prevent tragedy.

Our guest speakers will answer questions and connect residents with any resources they might need. We’re anticipating representatives from the Florida Department of Health, the Four Townes Family YMCA and several swimming lesson providers with a focus on young swimmers.

Hope to see you Thursday, April 25!