Manatee County Offers Free Water Alarms to Help Prevent Childhood Drownings
Parents and guardians in Manatee County are being urged to take advantage of a new safety initiative offering free water-surface alarms designed to alert adults the moment a child enters a pool or body of water.
The program, available through bit.ly/ManateeWaterAlarm, provides alarms at no cost to families with children ages 0 to 5, as well as to families with older children who have special needs. The devices are intended to give parents valuable extra seconds to respond if a child enters the water unexpectedly — a measure that can mean the difference between a close call and a tragedy.
Drowning remains a leading cause of preventable death among young children in Florida and nationwide. According to the Florida Department of Health, the state consistently has the highest rate of fatal drownings among children under age 5. On average, enough children to fill three preschool classrooms die each year in Florida due to drowning.
National data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that drowning is the number one cause of accidental death for children ages 1 to 4. Most incidents occur in residential pools and often happen quickly and silently, with no splashing or cries for help.
Experts emphasize that layers of protection — including constant supervision, secure pool fencing, swim lessons, and water alarms — are the most effective way to prevent tragedy.
The Manatee County water alarm initiative aims to make those protective layers more accessible to families throughout the community. Residents can register online while supplies last to receive their free water-safety device.
For more information or to request an alarm, visit bit.ly/ManateeWaterAlarm.
