City of Pasadena and Rose Bowl Aquatics Center Announce Water Safety Month Campaign

PASADENA, Calif.- May is National Water Safety Month, an annual campaign dedicated to raising awareness about drowning prevention and promoting safer water habits as swimming season begins. As warmer weather approaches and families plan their visits to the beach or pool this summer, the City of Pasadena and the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center (RBAC) remind residents of the importance of practicing water safety.

Over the last 19 years (2007-2025), there have been 39 deaths due to drownings among people living in Pasadena or deaths occurring in Pasadena, according to the Pasadena Public Health Department. Among those, more than 23% were children under 18 years old, and 31% were adults 65 years and older. Approximately 2 Pasadenans die each year from drowning, making supervision and awareness crucial for any person in the water.

Practicing water safety is key to anticipating and avoiding drowning and water-related injuries. Keep the following tips in mind the next time you visit a pool or open body of water:

• Enroll in swim lessons to learn basic swimming skills.
• Follow all rules posted at the pool, beach, or recreational swimming location.
• Never swim alone; keep a swim buddy or guardian close by.
• Never dive head-first into waterless than nine feet deep.
• Choose a U.S. Coast Guard-approved floatation device instead of water wings or inflatables.
• Avoid swimming after consuming alcohol or medications that cause disorientation.
• To prevent the spread of waterborne illnesses, avoid swimming if you feel sick or are experiencing diarrhea.

For additional information on healthy and safe swimming, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

Water Safety for Children

• Always supervise children around water and keep them within arm's reach.
• If a child is missing, always check the water first.
• Children can drown in as little as one inch of water.
• Empty and store tubs, buckets, and small pools after use.
• Keep toilet lids closed and bathroom/laundry doors shut.
• Install pool fencing that surrounds all sides of the pool with self-closing, self-latching gates. Fences should be at least four feet tall.
• Learn CPR and basic water rescue skills.

For more information on water safety, visit the Safe Kids Worldwide website.

Swim Lessons

Basic swimming skills are essential for all ages. Swim lessons are available year-round through both City of Pasadena aquatics programs and the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center, with financial assistance options available for qualifying families.

To register for swim lessons with the City, visit CityOfPasadena.net/Reserve or call (626) 744-7590. To learn more about programs or sign up for lessons at the RBAC, visit RoseBowlAquatics.org or call (626) 564-0330.

Additional Home Pool and Spa Safety Information

• Keep pools, hot tubs, and water features properly maintained with chlorine or bromine and balanced pH levels.

• Well-maintained pools help prevent illnesses like swimmer's itch, swimmer's ear, and skin rashes.