About the Commission
The New York State Temporary Commission to Prevent Childhood Drowning was established in December 2021 to address the rise in childhood drownings.
The Commission was charged with evaluating and creating programs to educate children and caregivers about water safety protocols. Its efforts encompassed consulting with experts, collaboratively working within committees to fulfill its objectives, and conducting public meetings and town halls to gather input and raise awareness. The Commission is no longer active and published its final report in September 2025.
Commission Goals
Set guidelines for the best practices of teaching children valuable swimming and drowning prevention skills.
Make swimming safety programs available in underserved communities.
Develop a public awareness campaign to ensure parents and guardians receive information on the importance of children receiving basic water safety and swimming instruction.