05/23/2026
It's a sad reality! Please parents teach you babies & young children how to swim! It's not an extra curricular activity ... it's a life skill that could one day save their life. 😢
Florida has now lost 105 children to drowning so far this year — a devastating, record-breaking number.
Last year’s total was also 105, and we have reached that number with nearly two months still remaining in the year. These are not statistics. These are children, families, and futures that should still be with us!
Drowning remains the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4, and it is both silent and preventable.
The Live Like Jake Foundation remains committed to providing survival swim scholarships, education, and resources to help reduce these tragedies. We urge all families to practice layers of protection, remain vigilant around all water, and prioritize self-rescue swim lessons for young children.
We must continue raising awareness and working together toward a future where no family endures the heartbreak of losing a child to drowning.