{"id":10479,"date":"2021-01-08T12:41:28","date_gmt":"2021-01-08T17:41:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/richmond-city\/?page_id=10479"},"modified":"2026-05-21T08:04:53","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T12:04:53","slug":"press-releases","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/richmond-city\/press-releases\/","title":{"rendered":"Press Releases"},"content":{"rendered":"
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RHHD Shares Water Safety Tips 2026<\/h1> <\/header>\n\n \n
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 21, 2026<\/p>\n

Media Contact: Bryan Hooten, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov<\/p>\n

Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Share Summer Water Safety Tips<\/h1>\n

Healthy and Safe Swimming Week is May 18-24<\/p>\n

RICHMOND, Va. \u2014 As summer gets ready to start, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts urge families to make water safety part of every day. Drowning happens quickly and quietly, and it remains a leading cause of death for young children. With simple steps, most drownings can be prevented.<\/p>\n

\u201cHealthy and Safe Swimming Week gives us the opportunity to focus on keeping ourselves and our families safe around water, whether we are enjoying time at a pool, lake, river, or ocean,\u201d said Richmond and Henrico Health Director Elaine Perry, M.D. \u201cThis summer, let\u2019s build our safety skills, increase our awareness, and stop drownings before they start.\u201d<\/p>\n

From 2020 to 2024, 473 Virginians<\/a> died from drowning, and more than half of those deaths happened in natural waters like rivers, lakes, and the ocean. Drownings can happen anywhere and children are especially at risk. Last year, the Virginia Department of Health reported a six-year high of 12 pool drownings in children 0 to 5 years old.<\/p>\n

Drowning Prevention Tips<\/h2>\n