Statistics from the CDC show drowning is the leading cause of death for children between 1 and 4.
According to The State Office of Parks and Recreation, nearly 1,500 people took advantage of free-swimming lessons at state parks this summer as part of the Learn-to-Swim program. Through a partnership with the American Red Cross, State Park lifeguards were provided free training to obtain Water Safety Instructor certification. That allowed for the certification of 20 additional Water Safety Instructors this season and increased the number of swim lessons provided.