Suffolk County Drowning Prevention Action Plan Launches

Suffolk County is facing a drowning crisis. With 24 fatal drownings in 2024 compared to just 15 in 2023, and the county now accounting for 70% of all fatal pool drownings in New York State, immediate action was needed.

We’re proud to announce the launch of the Suffolk County Drowning Prevention Action Plan—a comprehensive response developed through collaboration with over 35 community partners.

Our Five-Point Action Plan

Our strategic approach focused on:

Better Data Collection—Launching a 10-year study to create unified drowning incident tracking

Expanded Education—Integrating water safety curricula into schools and community programs

Pool Safety—Promoting proper fencing and supervision techniques for residential pools

Lifeguard Workforce—Strengthening training, funding, and professionalization of lifeguards

Public Awareness—Creating multilingual campaigns and engaging policymakers

The Power of Partnership

The Suffolk County Drowning Prevention Alliance brings together diverse organizations, from emergency services and school districts to advocacy groups and local government. 

Our plan aligns with the U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan, ensuring our local efforts are grounded in evidence-based best practices.

Drowning is preventable. Through sustained collaboration and evidence-based strategies, we can protect families and save lives in Suffolk County.

Learn more about drowning prevention work in Suffolk County at stonybrookchildrens.org/watersafety.