Last Thursday marked the first day of Summer, which means temperatures are rising and Louisianans are spending more time outdoors.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill wants to ensure that you and your family are staying safe near the water. According to the Louisiana Department of Health, Louisiana has the highest drowning rates for children in the United States, with a 60% increase from 2022 to 2023. In addition, drowning is the third leading cause of death among children ages one to fourteen in Louisiana. 

“Tragically, drowning is a leading cause in death for our youth. I urge everyone to follow a few simple, yet critical steps to keep you and your children safe around the water,” said General Murrill.

Families can take several precautions to help prevent drowning:

• Avoid horseplay around water
• Never swim alone
• Wear life jackets that are properly fitted and suited for your skill level
• Always watch your children when they are swimming
• Learn how to swim and basic water safety skills
• Learn CPR
• Use caution when swimming in natural bodies of water which may have unpredictable currents

Every drowning is preventable. By following these water safety tips we can prevent these tragedies from happening among Louisiana children in the future.