Virginia health officials urge parents to take precautions amid alarming rise in child drownings

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Health officials are urging parents to take extra precautions around water this summer after the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced an increase in child drownings in swimming pools.

Since Memorial Day, six children under the age of 5 have died in swimming pool drownings across the Commonwealth, according to VDH. Four of those deaths happened in Central Virginia, marking a somber start to the swimming season.

The six drowning deaths reported within the last month have already surpassed the number of pool-related deaths among young children for each of the last three years.

Elaine Perry, health director for the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD), said parents may not realize how quickly and quietly drowning can occur.

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“Drowning doesn’t happen like it does in the movies, necessarily -- where people are thrashing and splashing and making all sorts of noise,” she said. “Children and adults can drown very quickly and very quietly.”

As temperatures rise and families turn to pools to cool off, Perry emphasized the importance of constant adult supervision and remaining vigilant.

“You want to be within arm’s length so that you can get to them very quickly … and your attention is focused on the children that are swimming,” she said.

In a press release, the VDH emphasized the importance of teaching children basic swimming and water safety skills to help reduce the risk of drowning.

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Many families in the Richmond area are taking advantage of summer swim lessons offered by local organizations, including SwimRVA and the YMCA of Greater Richmond.

“I have two sons [who] are five and six [years old]," said parent Daniel Vaughan. "They love the water and want to be around it all the time. It’s just critical for them to be able to swim and feel comfortable. That’s why we have them in lessons.”

For some parents, like Engy Shafen, enrolling their children in swim lessons is also about breaking generational barriers.

“I didn’t learn to swim when I was a child, so it’s difficult for me to be in the water,” she said. “I don’t want them to be like me. I want them to have these skills.”

Engy Shafen's son practicing swimming skills during lessons at SwimRVA (Photo: Deniel Dookan, 8News)

While swim programs tend to be more popular during the summer months, SwimRVA encourages parents to get a head start before the swim season begins.

“Don’t wait for the summer to get signed up for swim lessons,” said Scott Bennett, communications director for SwimRVA. “Start early so you can be ready when you’re taking those vacations, going to the rivers, the lakes, the beaches, and the water that surrounds us.”

In addition to swim training and active supervision, VDH is reminding families that all residential pools should be fully enclosed with fencing at least four feet high and constructed in a way that prevents children from climbing over or getting through.