Water Safety Doesn’t End in May: Why Summer Is the Most Critical Time to Stay Vigilant
Just because Water Safety Month is over doesn’t mean the danger is. In fact, the real risk is only beginning — and the summer months require our full attention.
As parents, we hear a lot about water safety in May — and for good reason. It’s National Water Safety Month, and a great time to start conversations, raise awareness, and take action to protect our kids around water.
But here’s the truth: water safety doesn’t end in May. It actually becomes more important than ever as summer begins.
☀️ Why Summer Is the Highest Risk Season for Drownings
From June through August, kids are home from school, pools are in full use, and families are more active around lakes, water parks, beaches, and backyard pools. Unfortunately, this also means the risk of drowning increases dramatically during the summer months.
According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1–4 — and the majority of these tragedies happen during summer, when supervision can slip, routines change, and everyone assumes “someone else is watching.”
🏊♂️ Common Summer Mistakes Parents Make Around the Pool
Even the most attentive parents can miss something — and that’s why multiple layers of protection are so important. We often hear:
“We just left the gate open for a second.”
“He knows how to swim — I didn’t think he’d go in.”
“I thought someone else was watching her.”
“We just moved in and hadn’t gotten to the fence yet.”
"We never thought about the dog door. He got out through that."
These aren’t bad parents — they’re real stories from loving families who experienced the unimaginable. That’s why we’re sharing more of these stories this summer, so other parents know they’re not alone — and that it’s never too late to take action.
✅ A Quick Refresher on Layers of Protection
If you took steps in May to improve your family’s water safety — amazing. But don’t stop there. Revisit your checklist and make sure these layers are still in place:
Adult Supervision
High-Quality Pool Fence with self-closing, self- latching gate (that can be locked).
Alarms (door, pool, wearable)
CPR Knowledge
Swim Lessons
Drain Covers
Emergency Plan
💬 Real Families. Real Stories.
This month, we’re launching a series called “Behind the Fence” — featuring real parent stories, close calls, and the moment they decided to put safety first. No shame, just honesty — because when we share these stories, we help others take action too.
“We had a scary moment last July. Our toddler slipped out the doggy back door and headed for the pool. Thankfully, our fence was in place. I don’t even want to think about what could have happened otherwise.”
— ASP Parent Testimonial
If you have a story to share, we’d love to hear it. Your experience could save a life.
🚨 Take Action Before the Next Heat Wave Hits
Pool safety is never “one and done.” As the heat rises, now is the time to:
Schedule a pool safety check
Install or upgrade your pool fence
Talk with your kids about water rules
Review supervision plans for parties or playdates
🧡 Let's Make This Summer Safer — Together
Summer is for pool parties, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Let’s make sure those memories stay safe. If you haven’t taken steps yet — now is the perfect time. And if you have — let’s double check and encourage others to do the same.
Because water safety doesn’t end in May it continues all summer long.