June 4, 2026 — NJ DCF Seeks to Make a Splash with “Keep Me Safe” Water Safety Public Awareness Campaign

As New Jersey Heads into the Summer Months, NJ Department of Children and Families Seeks to Make a Splash with “Keep Me Safe” Water Safety Public Awareness Campaign

Campaign Reminds Caregivers to be Careful with Children across the Water  

TRENTON – As New Jersey households put together for enjoyable within the solar at swimming pools and seashores following the unofficial begin of Jersey Summer with the Memorial Day Weekend, the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (NJ DCF) has formally launched their 2026 Water Safety Campaign, “Keep Me Safe,” in an effort to remind dad and mom and caregivers to observe water security when infants, youngsters, and youth are in or round our bodies of water and to fight preventable drownings.

“Spending time near the water with friends and family is a great way to kick off the season, but we have to remember to remain vigilant when our children are in or near water, whether that’s going down the shore, swimming at a community or backyard pool, or visiting one of many rivers and lakes across the state,” mentioned NJ DCF Interim Commissioner Carmen Diaz-Petti, LCSW.  “It’s especially important because water accidents and swimming fatalities, while preventable, can happen in the blink of an eye, even when there are lots of people nearby, or even when you may consider yourself or your child an experienced swimmer.”

Through the “Keep Me Safe” marketing campaign, NJ DCF is searching for to boost consciousness about drowning prevention, the significance of supervision, and easy suggestions that may assist youngsters, youth and households keep secure, in line with Interim Commissioner Diaz-Petti.

The Keep Me Safe Campaign / Partnership

As a part of its dedication to childhood security, DCF has begun sharing messaging and sources on social media to spotlight the significance of water security, whether or not in swimming pools, streams or on the seashore.  Adopting the rubber duck because the mascot for this effort, DCF has developed supplies that spotlight the significance of studying to swim, securing swimming pools when not in use, and having a delegated watcher at yard pool events.  DCF can even be distributing branded rubber geese with a QR code to water security sources to households with newborns by the Family Connects NJ program.

Beyond social media messaging, DCF shall be partnering with the NJ Swim Safety Alliance (NJSSA) and the New Jersey chapter of the American Red Cross to supply a one-page factsheet for households with tricks to keep secure.  The factsheet is anticipated to be accomplished later this month and out there to varsities by a partnership with the NJ Department of Education.

Why the yellow rubber duck?

The division’s Keep Me Safe message, and particularly the usage of the rubber duck which serves as a reminder for folks, was impressed by optimistic childhood recollections of taking part in close to the water. It’s additionally meant to encourage, the best way a mom duck guides her littles ones to security.

“We can all learn something from Mother Nature, and if you have ever watched a family of ducks on the water, you know that ducklings rarely enter the water without a parent leading the way,” mentioned Child Fatality, Near Fatality Review Board Chair, Dr. Laura Brennan.   “Water safety is a serious issue, and so many drowning fatalities are preventable with just a few simple safety tips in mind.  We applaud DCF for raising this issue up with a bit of whimsy, color and fun to put these tips at the front of mind for parents, caregivers, and others responsible for keeping children safe in and near the water.”

Statistics

According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, yearly there are greater than 4,000 unintended drowning deaths within the United States.  About 900 of these fatalities are youngsters, with half being very younger infants and toddlers. Many toddler drownings happen in bathtubs, and youngsters between the ages of 1 and 4 die extra from drownings than another explanation for loss of life. Among youngsters between the ages 5 to 14, drowning is discovered to be the second main explanation for loss of life.

In the Garden State, statistics present that about 65 people lose their lives to drowning yearly, with a mean of 10 baby fatalities attributable to drowning yearly.  More unintended drownings are preventable with correct schooling and security precautions.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) just lately launched a report with new recommendations and highlighting that there’s a rising disparity in deadly pediatric drowning charges primarily based on race and ethnicity.  The statistics present that Black individuals below the age of 30 are 1.5 occasions as more likely to drown as white individuals below the age of 30, whereas American Indian and Alaska Native individuals below the age of 30 are twice as more likely to drown as their white counterparts.

“Any child drowning is tragic, not just for a family who has to endure such a devastating loss, but also for an entire community,” mentioned Dr. Puthenmadam Radhakrishnan, Vice-President, NJAAP.  “But so many of these cases are preventable, and there are resources available and simple tips that we can all follow that can literally make the difference in helping kids and young people stay safer near water. DCF’s ‘Keep Me Safe’ campaign is a creative way to remind us to stay alert and follow recommendations to make playing in the water a safe and enjoyable experience.”  

The new suggestions by the AAP highlight key points for parents and caregivers:

• Be conscious of drowning hazards and supervise youngsters in, on, and round water. Young youngsters ought to by no means be left alone or with different children in or close to bathtubs, swimming pools, spas, or in or close to flowing or standing water, even momentarily.
• A supervising grownup with swimming expertise ought to all the time be inside arm’s size of youngsters and supply contact supervision for an toddler, toddler, or weak swimmer who’s in or round water.
• Children ought to obtain swimming classes as early as after their first birthday. Swim classes earlier than a toddler turns one have yielded no proof that they scale back drowning incidents.
• Following fencing necessities, life jacket laws, lifeguard requirements, and secure natural-water designations and different associated legal guidelines and laws are confirmed methods to scale back drowning deaths.
• Caregivers and youngsters ought to be taught CPR and know the right way to carry out secure rescue.

“We all care about the wellbeing and safety of children. Together, each one of us, can ensure drownings do not happen in our state, in our neighborhoods or in our own backyards,” added Cait Waxler, Board Chair of the NJ Swim Safety Alliance.

To be taught extra concerning the DCF “Keep Me Safe” Public Awareness Campaign, go to https://www.nj.gov/dcf/public-information/campaigns/water-safety.shtml.