National Water Safety Month is an annual awareness campaign celebrated 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 (NDPA), the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), and the World Waterpark Association (WWA) — shares important safety information and resources throughout the month and works closely with state and local governments to encourage nationwide support.
“The American Red Cross and the other National Water Safety Month Coalition members encourage everyone to be water smart to help prevent drowning,” says William D. Ramos, MS, PhD, member of the Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council and chair of its Aquatics Sub-Council. “Being water smart means being safer in, on and around water, learning how to swim and knowing what to do in a water emergency.”
First recognized in 2003, National Water Safety Month has continued to expand and is now celebrated by thousands of aquatics facilities, businesses, and professionals around the country. 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.
“We are so excited to be a partner again this year for National Water Safety Month,” says Alissa Magrum, Executive Director of the NDPA. “We know that when water safety and drowning prevention organizations work together with a shared vision of increasing water safety awareness and sharing educational resources, we can multiply our impact — saving more lives and preventing more drownings.”
The National Water Safety Month Coalition works together 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 the water not just during the summer swim season, but year-round.
“Park and recreation professionals throughout the nation provide aquatics programming at nearly 70 percent of agencies,” says Julie Boland, NRPA Vice President of Credentialing and Member Operations. “At NRPA, we are proud to support National Water Safety Month and recognize the importance of providing access to opportunities for all people to learn to swim, especially children. Thankfully, parks and recreation agencies are key providers of low-cost and free swimming lessons, and we are proud to support this month.”
The Coalition provides water safety activities and resources such as:
Water Safety Season Toolkit
The NDPA offers a free and downloadable water safety season toolkit complete with social media posts, video PSA’s, shareable blogs, press release templates, printable documents, and many more resources to support parents, caregivers, and aquatic professionals to help advocate for water safety and drowning prevention during May and throughout the summer season.
International Water Safety Day
International Water Safety Day (May 15, 2025) is designed to help spread global awareness about drowning prevention and educate youth about becoming safer in and around water. May 15th is a day to share drowning awareness and water safety education by any means possible.
World’s Largest Swimming Lesson
Celebrating its 16th year of saving lives, the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™ (WLSL) holds open registration for aquatic facilities interested in being an official Host Location for the global event that takes place on June 26, 2025. Tens of thousands of kids participate to learn basic water safety skills and help build awareness about the fundamental importance of teaching children to swim to prevent drowning.
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 to support this important work.
Safe Swimmer Pledge
Anyone can join the movement to reinforce the importance of water safety and become an advocate in the community. For example, the Safe Swimmer 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, provides funding to swim lesson providers across the country so they can offer free and low-cost swim lessons to families who could otherwise not afford them.
Social Media
The Coalition will share safety tips and resources across its social media channels throughout the month. 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.
“PHTA’s mission is to promote safe and healthy pool and hot tub environments for people to share enjoyable aquatic experiences,” says Sabeena Hickman, CAE, President and CEO of PHTA. “Being part of the National Water Safety Month Coalition is an amazing opportunity for PHTA to share lifesaving resources with a wide audience and amplify the importance of water safety, not just during the summer months but all year long. We are proud to work with likeminded organizations to have a positive impact on children and families nationwide.”
May marks the beginning of swim season as beaches, pools, and waterparks begin to open and people spend more time outdoors. The National Water Safety Month Coalition is determined to increase awareness about vital water safety practices to help keep children and their families safer around water. Learning to swim and practicing safe behaviors are critical first steps.
“The combined efforts of the NWSM Coalition, state and local governments, and aquatics facilities of all types help raise awareness about best practices and the necessary layers of protection needed to keep families safer in and around the water,” says Rick Root, President of the WWA. “Participating in National Water Safety Month is a wonderful opportunity to broaden our reach and amplify our message about the importance of learning to swim and being water aware.”
Parents, educators, and caregivers can find detailed information and free resources in support of National Water Safety Month at www.NationalWaterSafetyMonth.org.
