PHOENIX – No children died in drowning incidents in the Valley during the first four months of 2025, according to the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona (DPCA).
It’s the first year since 2008 without a fatal child drowning in metro Phoenix through April.
To celebrate the achievement and do what they can to keep the streak going, water safety advocates are hosting a free drowning prevention event in Phoenix on Saturday.
DPCA is teaming up with SRP Safety Connection to present Tapping Into Water Safety from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort.
The resort is located near North Mountain at 11111 N. Seventh St.
What can guests do at water safety event?
The event will feature over 20 local water safety advocates, including those from the Phoenix Fire Department, YMCA and local swim schools.
Attendees will have free access to the resort pool and can participate in lifejacket giveaways, CPR lessons, interactive activities and more.
Raffles will also be held for a variety of prizes, including stays at the Tapatio Cliffs Resort, restaurant gift cards and tickets for Arizona State University football and Arizona Diamondbacks games.
How many children died in Valley drownings in 2024?
Children’s Safety Zone documented 18 child drowning deaths in Maricopa and Pinal counties in 2024, an increase from 2023’s 12 fatal incidents.
“We had the highest incidents of a child or pediatric drownings under the age of 5 in the last 10 years (in 2024), so we’re trying to really focus this year on trying to get ahead of the curve,” DPCA President Jay Arthur told KTAR News 92.3 FM last month. “We’re off to a better start than last year.”
KTAR News and Fulton Homes want to remind you that two seconds is too long to take your eyes off kids near water. To learn more about this campaign, visit the 2 Seconds is Too Long website.
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