Toddler drownings rise on Long Island; county takes action: Life and death

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine offered safety tips, and a telephone alert was sent out countywide on Tuesday.

July 9, 2024, 10:37 a.m. EDT | Updated July 9, 2024, 10:58 a.m. EDT

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — As the number of deaths from pool drownings rises in Suffolk County, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine this week urged parents to follow current safety standards around pools.

Suffolk County even sent out an alert to smartphones on Tuesday with links to water and pool safety tips.

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“Please take some time this season to learn about pool safety,” Romaine said. “It could mean the difference between life and death.”

This season, Long Island has seen an increase in swimming pool incidents; over the holiday weekend, two more young children were found unconscious in Suffolk County, in both North Haven and Deer Park.

Romaine referred residents to statistics on stopdrowingnow.com that said:

• 88 percent of drowning accidents occur in the presence of at least one adult.
• 3,500 people will die by drowning this year.
• Drowning is the most common cause of accidental death among children between 1 and 4 years of age.

To reduce this number, the American Red Cross recommends, according to Romaine:

• Always keep an eye on children in the pool.
• Stay within reach of small children.
• Install a primary barrier and/or secondary barrier to prevent access to the pool.
• Removing the ladder from an above ground pool when it is not in use.
• Enforcing safety standards such as no running around in the pool, diving only when necessary, swimming with a partner, and swimming sober.

Suffolk County offers CRP classes to those interested. To schedule an appointment, call 631-852-5080 for more information.