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Florida expands swimming lesson voucher program to curb climbing drowning death rate

The summer swimming season is kicking off for many in North Central Florida with the Memorial Day weekend. The CDC warns swimmers to take precautions before entering the pool.
The summer swimming season is kicking off for many in North Central Florida with the Memorial Day weekend. The CDC warns swimmers to take precautions before entering the pool.

Florida is doing more to help kids learn to swim.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4, and childhood drownings are increasing in Florida.

Last year, the state recorded its highest number of child drowning deaths as 120 children lost their lives.

So far this year, 89 children have died — on track to surpass last year's tragic record. That's according to the state department of children and families.

Autistic children are even more likely to die from drowning, but this year, Florida is trying to change that.

The state is expanding a voucher program that's helping some families afford swim lessons.

To learn more about it, I spoke with NPR reporter Jonaki Mehta, who recently wrote a story about the program.

Copyright 2026 WUFT 89.1/90.1 NPR News/Talk for North Florida

Kristin Chermont Spina
Kristin Chermont Spina is a Multimedia Content Producer and the Morning Edition anchor for WUFT News.
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