Celebrate National Water Safety Month This May

(Overland Park, Ks) – The National Water Safety Month Coalition—comprised of the American Red Cross, the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA), the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), and the World Waterpark Association (WWA)—invites all stakeholders to participate in the month-long celebration of National Water Safety Month this May. National Water Safety Month is an annual awareness campaign that provides water safety education for children and adults ahead of the peak summer swim season.

National Water Safety Month was first recognized as a week-long campaign in 2003 and has continued to expand its reach over the past 23 years, becoming a month-long celebration in 2007. The National Water Safety Month Coalition works together to share important safety information to a wide range of audiences, from parents and caregivers to aquatics industry professionals, and works closely with state and local governments to ensure nationwide support.

“We are so excited to be a partner again this year for National Water Safety Month,” says Alissa Magrum, Executive Director of the NDPA. “We know that when water safety and drowning prevention organizations work together with a shared vision of increasing water safety awareness and sharing educational resources, we can multiply our impact—saving more lives and preventing more drownings. Drowning impacts people of all ages and occurs in all kinds of water. The good news is that drowning is preventable and when we work together, we can save lives.”

The public awareness campaign provides educational programming, public service announcements, government proclamations, business promotions, and water safety-themed materials designed to help prevent water-related illnesses, injuries, and fatalities.

“PHTA is proud to be part of the National Water Safety Month Coalition and play a role in strengthening the pool, spa, and hot tub industry’s messaging around the importance of water safety,” says Sabeena Hickman, CAE, President & CEO of PHTA. “Together, we can drastically reduce drowning incidents by sharing lifesaving resources with families and communities across the country—not just in May, but all throughout the year.”

Additional efforts include advocating for improved legislation at the federal, state, and local levels and securing national media coverage to inform families of how to stay safe in and around the water, not just during the summer swim season but all year long.

The Coalition provides water safety activities and resources such as:

Water Safety Season Toolkit
The NDPA offers a free and downloadable water safety season toolkit complete with social media posts, video PSAs, shareable blogs, press release templates, printable documents, and many more resources to support parents, caregivers, and aquatic professionals to help advocate for water safety and drowning prevention during May and throughout the summer season.

International Water Safety Day
International Water Safety Day (May 15, 2026) is designed to help spread global awareness about drowning prevention and educate youth about becoming safer in and around water. May 15th is a day to share drowning awareness and water safety education by any means possible.

World’s Largest Swimming Lesson
Celebrating its 17th year of saving lives, the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™ (WLSL) holds open registration for aquatic facilities interested in being an official Host Location for the global event that takes place on June 25, 2026. Tens of thousands of kids participate to learn basic water safety skills and help build awareness about the fundamental importance of teaching children to swim to prevent drowning.

Longfellow’s WHALE Tales Water Safety for Children
The American Red Cross offers a complimentary curriculum in English and Spanish complete with interactive videos, posters, and lesson plans that will inspire students while learning to recognize risks and understand water safety.

State Proclamations
The Coalition works to secure gubernatorial proclamations to draw attention to this issue at the state level. Annually, 45-50 governors proclaim May as National Water Safety Month to support this important work.

Safe Swimmer Pledge
Anyone can join the movement to reinforce the importance of water safety and become an advocate in the community. For example, the Safe Swimmer Pledge encourages children to practice safe swimming behaviors such as never swimming alone and obeying pool rules.

Step Into Swim Grants
Step Into Swim, the drowning prevention initiative of PHTA, provides funding to swim lesson providers across the country so they can offer free and low-cost swim lessons to families who could otherwise not afford them.

Social Media
The Coalition will share safety tips and resources across its social media channels throughout the month. Follow along on Facebook and join the #watersafetymonth #NWSM2026 conversations on Instagram. Shareable content is also available through NDPA’s Water Safety Season Tool Kit.

May marks the beginning of swim season as beaches, pools, and waterparks begin to open and people spend more time outdoors. The National Water Safety Month Coalition is determined to increase awareness about vital water safety practices to help keep children and families safer around water. Learning to swim and practicing safe behaviors are critical first steps.

Parents, educators, caregivers, and business owners can find detailed information and free resources in support of National Water Safety Month at www.NationalWaterSafetyMonth.org.

About the National Water Safety Month Coalition
National Water Safety Month is made possible by the National Water Safety Month Coalition, led by the American Red Cross, the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, and the World Waterpark Association. Since 2003, members of the Coalition have worked to raise awareness and promote water safety through educational programs, public service announcements, governmental proclamations, and easy-to-access water safety information and materials. To learn more, visit www.NationalWaterSafetyMonth.org.