Megan Ferraro Shares Water Safety Tips Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend
With summer weekends bringing more families to pools, beaches, and lakes, The ZAC Foundation Executive Director Megan Ferraro sat down with Fox 35 Orlando to share what every family should keep in mind before heading to the water.
Layers of Protection for Young Children
Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1–4, with most of those drownings occurring in backyard residential pools. To keep young children safe:
- Install a four-sided isolation fence around any backyard pool
- Place door chimes on any entry points leading to the pool area
- Talk to children about never entering the water without an adult present
- Remember that many drownings happen during unplanned swim time, after families assume the day is done
Open Water Safety for Teens and Young Adults
For older children and teens, open water poses the greater risk. Before heading to the beach:
- Check flag conditions: Green means the water is relatively calm, and safe to swim when a lifeguard is present
- Only swim when a lifeguard is on duty
- Wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket when boating
- Avoid alcohol and risky behavior around water
Swim as a Family
Adults who don’t know how to swim are less likely to enroll their children in lessons. Megan encouraged families to learn together, and reminded everyone that knowing how to swim is just the beginning. Layers of protection still apply, especially in open water.
Water safety is a year-round conversation, but the start of summer is a good reminder to re-learn and remember the basics.
Watch Megan’s full interview on Fox 35 Orlando.