The ZAC Foundation

Happy !

The ZAC Foundation extends a huge THANK YOU to the instructors who make possible.

This summer, these dedicated ZAC Camp team members taught hundreds of kids essential swimming and survival skills safely.

Moises Rodriguez, a 30-year-old Army veteran, was one of seven people who tragically drowned at NYC beaches this summer, marking the most drownings since 2019. Many victims, like Moises, lived in districts with limited access to swimming facilities, leaving nearly 2 million New Yorkers in "swimming deserts."

While city leaders are taking steps, grieving families are calling for stricter controls on off-hours beach access to prevent further losses.

7 drowned at NYC beaches this summer. Most grew up in the city without access to pools. An analysis found that most of the drowning victims at city beaches lived in neighborhoods with minimal access to pools.

🚨Recall Alert— U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
has recalled Pool Drain Covers for violating .

GOETAS Pool Drain Covers Recalled Due to Entrapment Hazard; Violation of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act; Sold Exclusively on Amazon.com by GOETAS Pool owners/operators and consumers should immediately stop using pools with the recalled pool drain cover; and remove, replace and dispose of the recalled drain covers. Take a photo of the recalled cover and send it to the recalling firm by email at [email protected] to receive a full refund. Ensur...

Are you a state leader working to put an end to drownings in your community? is hosting monthly office hours to advise localized working groups.

Register at watersafetyplan.us and come with updates or questions on how to advance water safety in your region.

Summer is over, but water safety remains crucial, especially after drowning rates surged in 2024, claiming the lives of children nationwide and in the tri-state area.

Read ZAC Foundation Co-Founder Karen Cohn's essay in the New York Post to learn how to protect your family.

New York Post: Summer may be ending, but water safety is more important than ever Karen Cohn shares her important message in a recent article in New York Post.

Just because summer vacation is done, doesn't mean water safety stops.

With waterside activities continuing into the fall, don't let your safety skills dull:

1️⃣ Enroll your child in swim lessons, to sharpen their skills in the off-season
2️⃣ Remind little ones to never wander off by the water alone
3️⃣ Talk about safety together while planning weekend activities, it only takes a minute

Find more guidance in Co-Founder Karen Cohn's article in the New York Post, Summer may be ending, but water safety is more important than ever: https://nypost.com/2024/09/08/opinion/why-water-safety-is-more-important-than-ever/

This summer saw a significant rise in drownings across the U.S. and locally in the tri-state area, driven by unsupervised access to pools, a lack of barriers, the lifeguard shortage, and dangerous currents.

New York City alone has had six fatalities at city beaches, the highest since 2019. In Suffolk County, Long Island, backyard pool drownings also spiked, with 10 reported fatalities. New Jersey’s beaches and pools have similarly experienced tragic drownings.

According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4, and the rates have increased by 28% since 2019. Black communities are disproportionately affected, with drowning rates rising 28% for Black individuals during the same period. An alarming 40 million American adults lack basic swimming skills, with barriers like cost and lack of access exacerbating the problem in marginalized communities.

Water safety is critical year-round. Read The ZAC Foundation's Co-Founder Karen Cohn’s essay in the New York Post: https://nypost.com/2024/09/08/opinion/why-water-safety-is-more-important-than-ever/

Grandparents make great !

Whether during bath time, by the pool or beach—always assign a designated guardian to supervise the swimming child. Water watchers should:

✅ Keep their eyes on the child at all times
✅ Stay within arm’s reach if the child is still learning to swim
🚫 NOT stare at their phone or book
🚫 NOT consume alcohol while supervising

📢 PSA 📢

Did you know swimming pools and waterparks can spread recreational water illnesses if not properly maintained? 🦠

Germs in contaminated water can rashes, gastrointestinal discomfort, and ear pain. 🤢

Before letting your kids jump into the pool this weekend, do the following 👇

1️⃣ Have your kids rinse off before entering the water. Keep kids stomach bugs or open wounds out of the pool
2️⃣ Remind your kids not to swallow the swimming water
3️⃣ After they swim, dry your child's ears thoroughly
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Photo: Debbie Troy Photography

Is your child ready for the first day of school? 🎒📓✏️

Before they head out the door, take a moment to go over these essential back-to-school safety tips.

1️⃣ Ensure your child’s teachers, relatives, and anyone who supervises them are trained in basic first aid and before the start of the school year.

2️⃣ Practice safety, including standing 6 feet away from the curb when waiting for the bus, making eye contact with the bus driver before crossing the street, and always staying in your seat while the bus is moving.

3️⃣ Have your child practice reciting their full name, home address, and phone number, and the information of an who they can trust in case of an emergency.

4️⃣ Encourage the and ensure your child knows what to do if they are approached by an adult they don’t know.

Boating under the influence is illegal in every state yet led to about 275 injuries and 100 deaths last summer.

The ZAC Foundation's Executive Director Megan Ferraro was interviewed by Fox News regarding the dangers of drinking while boating.

Find more boating safety tips in the article:
https://www.foxnews.com/health/6-water-safety-tips-boating-deaths-alcohol-leading-factor-tragedy