Summer Water Safety Reminders from King County

Welcome to summer 2025! As your children get ready for summer break, it’s important to remember that water activities come with risks. Since 2018, King County has seen a rise in preventable drowning fatalities, with preliminary data showing 25 deaths in 2024. Many of these tragedies could have been avoided with proper supervision and life jacket use. 

This summer, let's make water safety a priority to protect our kids. The King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, King County Sheriff’s Office, and Public Health – Seattle & King County recommend the following safety tips:

Water Safety Tips

• Wear a life jacket. Use a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)-approved life jacket when swimming or boating. Children under 12 years old must wear one on vessels under 19 feet. Learn to choose the right life jacket here.
• Learn to swim and self-rescue. Affordable swim lessons are available in Seattle and surrounding areas for qualifying families. Visit seattle.gov/parks/pools/swim-seattle or check with your local park department.
• Always supervise children near water. Appoint a dedicated “water watcher.”
• Avoid alcohol, cannabis, or other impairing drugs while swimming, boating, or supervising children.
• Learn CPR. Visit kingcounty.gov/cpr for training information on Hands-Only CPR.

River Safety

Rivers pose a higher risk due to strong currents, unstable rocks, and cold-water temperatures, even on warm days. There are no lifeguards at most river locations, making conditions unpredictable. To stay safe:

• Always wear a life jacket when near or in rivers, creeks, lakes, or Puget Sound.
• Keep children within arm’s reach so you can act quickly if needed.
• Choose safer swimming options with lifeguards, such as a swim beaches or pools.

Boating Tips:

• Let someone know your plans, including where and when you’ll be on the water.
• Have an emergency contact ready.
• Don’t boat alone; include a craft with oars for rescues.
• Pack a dry bag with food, water, and warm clothes in case of emergencies.
• Wear a life jacket—accidents happen unexpectedly.

Resources:

• Water safety tips: King County Water Safety.
• Lifeguard schedules, swim lessons, and life jacket stations: King County Area Public Lifeguarded Beaches and  Summer Outdoor Pools.
• Find life jacket loaner stations: “Washington State Parks Life Jacket Loaner Map.”
• Get 20% off life jackets in stock at Big 5 Sporting Goods via Seattle Children’s Drowning Prevention Network.