Water Safety
Drowning remains a leading cause of unintentional injury-related death in children and teens and the leading cause among children ages 1 to 4. Most drowning and near-drowning occurs in residential pools and open water, but children can drown in as little as one inch of water—including in wading pools, bathtubs, buckets, toilets, and hot tubs.
Most drownings in young children happen in home settings, especially home pools. They occur most often in summer between May and August, often on weekends.
Safe Kids Grand Forks coordinates a Water Safety Subcommittee with resources for staying safe in and around water at home, at the pool, or near lakes and rivers. Water safety skills last a lifetime—make them a priority for your family.
Safety Around Water
Water safety is a lifelong skill. Each spring, the Altru Family YMCA offers a free Safety Around Water class—a 30-minute water safety and swim lesson for children who have not had lessons before or whose families cannot afford swim lessons. Kids enroll in a time slot and attend on four days that week at that time. Registration is required. Registration typically opens in April for May classes. For more information, contact the Altru Family YMCA at 701-775-2586.
Boating Safety
Many boating-related drownings involve people who were not wearing a life jacket, often close to shore. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary partners in our water safety work; visit their site for boating and water safety resources (link on the Wear It logo).
State agencies offer boating safety courses for operators (minimum ages vary). Course information:
Boating activity sheets from Kids Don't Float:
Kids Don't Float Water Safety Classes
Each year, Safe Kids Grand Forks and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers present Kids Don't Float, a water safety and boating program for children in grades 2–6 and their parents or teachers. Selected classes from Grand Forks schools and surrounding communities attend at the UND Hyslop Sports Center pool. During the program schools may participate across multiple scheduled sessions over several days.
The session includes about 40 minutes of interactive presentation on water and boating safety, followed by skill stations such as effects of hypothermia, life jacket relay, water rescue techniques, Fatal Vision® goggles, and sample boating skills in small battery-operated boats in the pool.
Sponsors and partners have included the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, University of North Dakota, ND Game & Fish, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Choice Health & Fitness, Altru Family YMCA, Grand Forks County Sheriff's Department, Altru Health System, and Safe Kids Grand Forks.
Video: What to expect in class
Video: Virtual class (2021)
Adaptive Aquatics Training Course (for instructors)
Water safety matters for every child, including those attracted to water or prone to wander. Safe Kids Grand Forks works with partners to strengthen adaptive aquatics capacity. Thanks to United Way of Grand Forks–East Grand Forks and others for supporting training and supplies. For upcoming training dates, contact Safe Kids Grand Forks at 701-780-1489.
Adaptive Aquatics Water Safety Classes (for kids)
Introductory classes help children with intellectual disabilities in kindergarten through fifth grade get comfortable in and around water and learn safety steps—not full swim lessons. Ratios are 1:1 or 1:2 as appropriate; class size is limited.
Thank you to Little Miracles, Inc. of Grand Forks for supporting this program. For information, email safekids@altru.org or call 701-780-1489.
Life Jackets: Fitting, Care, Sales, and Loaner Programs
Life jackets protect children and adults in and around water. Program jackets are typically Type III, suitable for boating, swimming, skiing, and similar activities. Sizes we stock include infant (under 30 lb with extra head support), 30–50 lb, 50–90 lb, and 90+ lb (youth/adult).
Fitting and care
Check fit each boating season. For fitting, selection, and care, see Life jacket fitting (PDF).
Poster-sized versions are available from Safe Kids Grand Forks. Download: PDF or JPG.
Life jackets for sale: Multiple sizes are available at the Safe Kids office. See the safety items sale flyer for current pricing.
Life jacket loaner programs: Partner sites lend jackets for up to two weeks at no charge (similar to a library). Useful for camp, guests at the lake, or pool parties. You do not need to be a member or patient at host locations.
- Crookston (Altru Clinic–Crookston)
- Grand Forks (Altru YMCA)
- Langdon (Cavalier County Public Health)
- Icelandic State Park
- Mount Carmel Recreation Area
Loaner boards by the water: With ND Game and Fish and other partners, loaner stations are available at sites including Red Willow Resort, Larimore Dam, and Stump Lake (boat ramp near the pavilion).
With support from the Sea Tow Foundation, additional loaner locations include Tolna Dam, Golden Lake, and Maple Lake. More locations: Sea Tow life jacket loaner program.
Know a public boating access that needs a loaner station? Contact Safe Kids Grand Forks.
Residential Pool Owner Considerations
A backyard pool can mean great family fun and serious responsibility. Most communities require four-sided fencing around in-ground pools; above-ground pools need attention too. Know where pools are in your neighborhood—young children wander, and drowning is often silent.
- Most children were being watched by an adult shortly before they drowned.
- Drowning is a leading cause of death for young children.
- Home swimming pools are the most common place for children under 5 to drown.
Splash Into Safety Summer Courses
Splash Into Safety pairs interactive lessons with hands-on pool activities. Topics include life jacket fitting and use, pool drain hazards, hypothermia/cold water, simple rescues, and general pool safety. We partner with local pools and lifeguards; sessions are often 1–2 hours and can be adapted to your facility. Contact Safe Kids Grand Forks to schedule.
Swimming Lessons — A Lifelong Skill
We encourage swim lessons by about age 5 (or sooner as appropriate). In Greater Grand Forks, lessons are offered through the YMCA, Choice Health & Fitness, Grand Forks Park District, East Grand Forks Parks & Recreation, UND, and others—check each organization for registration.
Printable area swim lesson overview: Area swim lessons (JPG)
Water Watchers Program
Laminated Water Watcher cards (wristband or lanyard) and a downloadable card: Water Watcher card (PDF).
Seconds count. Supervision saves. At busy pools and gatherings, designate an adult Water Watcher who stays within arm's reach and avoids phones, reading, and long conversations. Hand off the duty clearly when the watcher needs a break. Safe Kids Grand Forks offers tags, clings, pool signs, and brochures for pools and families—contact us for materials.