May is National Water Safety Month, a monthlong campaign led by the World Waterpark Association and the American Red Cross, which has expanded into a full month-long campaign. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that accidental drowning kills approximately 4,000 lives in the United States every year, with an estimated 11 deaths per day. The majority of these deaths are preventable, with swimming education, adult supervision, proper barriers around backyard pools, the use of life jackets in open water, and the simple habit of swimming with a buddy. In 2026, both Pennsylvania and New Jersey formally recognized May as National Water Security Month, joining a national movement that treats drowning prevention as a year-round public health priority. The YMCA's Nicle Bandura shares more tips about keeping children and families safe around water.