Coalition of Water Safety Partners Shares Resources for Water Safety Month
National Water Safety Month is an awareness campaign recognized each May to provide water safety education for children and adults ahead of the peak summer swim season. A national coalition of water safety partners — the American Red Cross, the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, the National Recreation and Park Association, the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance and the World Waterpark Association — share safety information and resources throughout the month and work closely with state and local governments to encourage nationwide support.
First recognized in 2003, National Water Safety Month is now celebrated by thousands of aquatics facilities, businesses and professionals nationwide. The public awareness campaign provides educational programming, public service announcements, government proclamations, business promotions and water safety-themed materials designed to help prevent water-related illnesses, injuries and fatalities.
The National Water Safety Month Coalition works to increase access to water safety education. Efforts include advocating for improved legislation at the federal, state and local levels and securing national media coverage to inform families of how to stay safe in and around water.
The Coalition provides water safety activities and resources such as:
- Water Safety Season Toolkit — The NDPA offers a free and downloadable tool kit complete with social media posts, videos, shareable blogs, news release templates, printable documents and more to support parents, caregivers and aquatic professionals to help advocate for water safety and drowning prevention.
- International Water Safety Day — Recognized May 15, this day is designed to help spread global awareness about drowning prevention and educate youth about becoming safer in and around water.
- World’s Largest Swimming Lesson — Celebrating its 16th year of saving lives, the program holds open registration for aquatic facilities interested in being an official host location for the global event June 26. Tens of thousands of kids learn basic water safety skills and help build awareness about the importance of teaching children to swim.
- Longfellow’s WHALE Tales Water Safety for Children — The American Red Cross offers a complimentary curriculum in English and Spanish, complete with interactive videos, posters and lesson plans that will inspire students while learning to recognize risks and understand water safety.
- State proclamations — The Coalition works to secure gubernatorial proclamations to draw attention to this issue at the state level. Annually, 45-50 governors proclaim May as National Water Safety Month.
- Safe Swimmer Pledge — The pledge encourages children to practice safe swimming behaviors such as never swimming alone and obeying pool rules.
- Step Into Swim Grants — Step Into Swim, the drowning prevention initiative of PHTA, offers funding to swim lesson providers nationwide so they can give free and low-cost swim lessons to families who could otherwise not afford them.
- Social media — Follow along on Facebook and join the #watersafetymonth #NWSM2025 conversations on Instagram. Shareable content is also available through NDPA’s Water Safety Season Tool Kit.
For more information and free resources in support of National Water Safety Month, visit NationalWaterSafetyMonth.org.
