Water Safety
Understand the importance of water safety and keeping children safe at home and on lakes and other bodies of water.
The Hard Facts About Drowning
- Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among children between 1 and 4 years old.
- And it’s the third leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children 19 and under.
- Children less than a year old are more likely to drown at home in the bathtub or a bucket (Safe Kids)
- A child or weak swimmer can drown in the time it takes to reply to a text, check a fishing line or apply sunscreen. Death and injury from drownings happen every day in home pools and hot tubs, at the beach or in oceans, lakes, rivers and streams, bathtubs, and even buckets. (Red Cross)
Both adults and children can be at risk of downing. Here are some links to tips for water safety.
- Water Safety | American Red Cross
- Boat and Water Safety | Minnesota DNR
- Abbey's Hope
- Blog Post on Water Safety | Dr. Ashley Bjorklund, MD; Pediatric ICU Medical Director, Hennepin Healthcare
Free Water Watcher Card
When children are swimming and there are several adults present, make sure kids are actively supervised at all times by choosing a Water Watcher. A Water Watcher is a responsible adult who agrees to watch the kids in the water without distractions and wear a Water Watcher card. After a certain amount of time (such as 15-minutes), the Water Watcher card is passed to another adult, who is responsible for the active supervision.
Open Water Safety Checklist
These essential tips will help keep kids safe when swimming in lakes, rivers, oceans and other open water.
Most cities offer swimming lessons for kids and adults. Check your city’s park and recreation or aquatics website for information. Ask about financial assistance, if needed. Minneapolis residents who cannot afford instructional fees because of economic need may apply to the Recreation Fee Assistance Program for fee assistance up to $300 through the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.
Minneapolis parks are home to 75 of the metro area's best beaches, pools and water parks.
Life Jackets Save Lives
Deaths from drowning are preventable tragedies that can affect anyone in, on, or around the water. Wearing a life jacket is a simple life-saving technique. More people need to know when to wear and how to choose a life jacket. Life Jackets Save Lives | Water Safety USA
Life jacket loaner stations are at the following boat launches in Hennepin County (child and adult sizes):
Spring Park Boat Launch
4141 Shoreline Drive
Spring Park, MN 55384
Gray's Bay
17232 Co Rd 101
Wayzata, MN 55391
Lake Minnetonka N. Arm Bay
County Rd 51
Mound, MN 55364
Medicine Lake
12525 42nd N
Plymouth, MN 55441
Lake Independence
2309 Baker Park Rd
Maple Plain, MN 55359
Bryant Lake
6800 Rowland Rd
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Lake Minnetonka Reg. Park
6900 Hazeltine Blvd
Excelsior, MN 55331
Weaver Lake
8591 Co Rd 101
Maple Grove, MN 55311