Governor Newsom’s May 2026 Message on National Water Safety Month:
“I urge all Californians to spread awareness on water safety and help protect others from these preventable tragedies.” Read and share the Governor’s full letter.
Swimming and recreational water activities are a great way to enjoy the Golden Coast during the warmer weather months at the beach, in pools, rivers, or other waters. These activities provide physical and mental health benefits but also increase the risk of preventable drowning tragedies.
Take steps now to learn drowning prevention techniques and to share water safety information with your communities. Your action can help prevent water-related death and injury and help children and individuals of all ages enjoy California’s waterways safely and responsibly.
DDS Water Safety Resources
Wellness Toolkit | Wellness & Safety Bulletins
Department Wellness & Safety Bulletins are created for self-advocates, direct support professionals, vendors and providers. Download the Drowning Prevention Bulletin for important water safety tips and resources you can share in Spanish, Tagalog, Traditional Chinese, and Vietnamese.
May is National Water Safety Month
Help share the important messages on water safety and drowning prevention in May and all year long with the Drowning is Silent campaign, developed in partnership with the Drowning Prevention Foundation, California Department of Public Health, and California Department of Social Services.
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Featured Partner: Drowning Prevention Foundation
Meet Nadina Riggsbee, Drowning Prevention Foundation Founder
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children under the age of 5. Nadina Rigsbee, founder of the Drowning Prevention Foundation, has spent decades raising awareness for water safety after losing her daughter and nearly her son in a pool accident. Nadina is recognized for her tireless work to help protect families across California and the nation. She reminds us all as we enjoy the warmer months to:
☀️Stay vigilant around water
🛟Learn essential lifesaving practices
🌊Teach children life-long water safety and swimming skills
Partner Resources and Toolkits
Be Splash Safe Campaign with Olly the Sea Lion (San Gabriel Pomona Regional Center)
San Gabriel Pomona Regional Center’s new Be Splash Safe water safety campaign has helpful resources, tips, and tools to make every water adventure safer.
Drowning Prevention Toolkit (California Department of Public Health)
Resources to help Californians be mindful of children’s health and safety when in or around water.
Be Water Aware Member Kit (World Waterpark Association)
This kit includes a variety of recorded Public Service Announcements suitable for radio and in-park announcements featuring messages on how to stay safer in and around the water. The kit also includes two colorful, eye-catching posters designs and more.
Pool Safely Education Campaign (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)
A national public education campaign to reduce childhood drowning, submersion injuries, and entrapments.
Drowning Prevention Campaign Toolkit (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Drowning prevention resources for parents and caregivers.
Drowning Prevention (Centers for Disease Control)
Facts, data, and resources to prevent drowning and save lives.
Autism and Water Safety
Autism and Water Safety
- Swimming and Water Safety Online Classes (American Red Cross)
- Autism Safety Resources (National Autism Safety Council)
- Water and Wandering (Autism Society)
California's “Near Drowning” Caseload
- By Age Groups — December 2025
- By Residence Type — December 2025
The source of data on these graphs has been extracted from the Client Development and Evaluation Report (CDER), at the Department of Developmental Services. CDER data tracks individuals in the Department’s caseload with a risk factor of “near drowning” — meaning an individual has experienced a near-drowning incident where they were close to drowning but survived, and this event is being recorded as a contributing factor to their health, safety, or service needs.
Victims of near drowning accidents often experience disabilities for the remainder of their lives. These include central nervous system damage contributing to varying levels of brain damage, resulting in loss of memory, seizures, learning disabilities, paralysis, and sometimes coma. The surviving victims may also experience a lifetime of multiple medical problems including respiratory, cardiovascular, and neuromuscular disorders.
Drowning Deaths of Young Children Residing in California
Children Age 0 through 5 years
| Year | Pool Drowning | Pool and Other Drowning Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 28 | 51 |
| 2023 | 35 | 50 |
| 2022 | 26 | 43 |
| 2021 | 36 | 49 |
| 2020 | 37 | 50 |
| 2019 | 35 | 53 |
| 2018 | 32 | 55 |
| 2017 | 23 | 51 |
| 2016 | 31 | 45 |
| 2015 | 31 | 47 |
| 2014 | 33 | 52 |
| 2013 | 39 | 60 |
| 2012 | 27 | 44 |
| 2011 | 30 | 58 |
| 2010 | 40 | 54 |
| Average | 32 | 51 |
Source: CDPH Vital Statistic Death Statistical Master Files and CDPH California Comprehensive Death Files
Prepared by: CDPH, Center for Healthy Communities – Injury and Violence Prevention Branch
California Laws
California remains committed to decreasing the number of drowning deaths and non-fatal drownings, recently enacting new legislation and initiatives aimed at increasing water safety awareness and practices. The Neng Thao Drowning Prevention Safety Act, established by Assembly Bill 1445 (2023), and strengthened by Assembly Bill 1005 (2025), authorizes drowning prevention organizations to provide educational materials to public schools. These materials explain why water safety matters, highlight local swimming programs, and share how to access water safety courses. Schools are required to distribute educational materials, selected from an approved list of existing curriculums by the Department of Education, to parents or guardians of students in all grade levels.
See also:
Last modified: May 19, 2026