U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan
A United States where everyone is safe in, on, and around water.
Drowning affects people all across the United States. Between 2020 and 2022, more than 4,500 people died from drowning each year — but drowning is preventable.
The U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan has a clear mission: Prevent drowning in the United States through evidence-informed action. Transform the country into a nation where water safety is a natural part of everyday life and people enjoy the benefits of water, safely.
Use the U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan and other resources on this website to work toward water safety in your community.
National Action Plan
The U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan provides a framework for developing data- and evidence-informed, context-specific water safety action plans in communities, counties, and states.
Action Recommendations
Search our database of 98 evidence-informed action recommendations that can help support drowning prevention planning and implementation at the local level.
Guidance to Support Local Action Planning
Use this 12-step process as a guide to plan, create, and implement action plans at the community, county, or state level.
Join the Steering Committee’s Office Hours!
The Steering Committee for the National Action Plan is hosting monthly office hours via Zoom to allow professionals working toward water safety to share challenges and progress. There are separate office hours for state coalitions and groups organized at community and county levels. Alternating each month between state and community-levels, office hours are held every 3rd Wednesday of the month at 1pm ET (unless otherwise noted). Click on the links below to register for upcoming office hours.
- Community Office Hours: Wednesday, April 15, 1pm ET
- State Office Hours: Wednesday, May 20, 1pm ET
Reflection to Action Webinar Events
- 2026 events coming soon!
Drowning Prevention Research Interest Group
Sponsored by SAVIR and Safe Kids Worldwide, the Drowning Prevention Research Interest Group will meet quarterly with an in-person meeting held at the SAVIR conference. The intent is to provide a forum for discussion and networking around drowning prevention research and related advocacy. Click here to sign-up for participation.
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- Quarterly meeting: Tuesday, April 14, 12:30-2pm ET; In-person meeting @ SAVIR Conference
Other Educational Opportunities
National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention: Investigating Water-Related Deaths; To access the training series at any time, create a free account at https://mihealth.coursemill.com/html/PUBLIC/ and look for the Child Death Scene Investigation Learning Series (CFRP-DSI) Course.