The city of delray beach aquatics program has visited local schools and given classroom presentations on the importance of water safety and adult supervision

The City of Delray Beach received a $140,205 Project Grant from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) under the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety program (CFDA 87.002). The grant funds will support a comprehensive 3-part plan to enhance water safety in the community, including: 1) Hiring part-time enforcement personnel, 2) Certifying all staff as Water Safety Instructors and adding a Certified Pool Operator, and 3) Increasing community outreach and education on the Virginia Graeme Baker (VGB) Act and the city's voucher program providing free or reduced-cost swim lessons. The city plans to work with the local Drowning Prevention Coalition to provide swim lesson vouchers for qualifying children ages 2-12. The project aims to reduce drowning and drain entrapment incidents in pools and spas, which is a significant issue in Florida, ranked 4th in the U.S. for unintentional drowning deaths. The grant award period runs from September 30, 2024 to September 29, 2026.

Flyers and information regarding programs and swim lessons were also distributed to share with family members. Another event the city hosted was a community water safety day where staff demonstrated and explained safety equipment (life jackets flotation devices), boater safety, and the importance of adult supervision around the water. The city has also partnered with the drowning prevention coalition which provides qualifying children ages 2-12 with a voucher, offering free reduced fees for swim lessons. The city of delray beach, if awarded the pool safely grant, is proposing a 3-part plan of certification, training and education, and adding enforcement personnel: -hire PT enforcement personnel-certify all staff as water safety instructors-add additional certified pool operator (CPO)-increase community outreach and education of the VGB act -increase community outreach with schools and voucher program the state of florida is surrounded by bodies of water and data from the CDC states, florida is ranked 4TH in the U.S. For unintentional drowning deaths among all ages in 2021. Drowning is preventable and with education we can reduce the numbers.