Happy Water Safety Month! As pool season kicks off, it’s the perfect time to remind ourselves of the importance of safe swimming. Pools are a source of fun, connection, and relief from the heat—but without proper safety practices, they can also become dangerous. That’s why our charity, America’s Backyard Heroes, is dedicated to raising awareness and sharing the knowledge families need to stay safe in and around water.
Why Water Safety Matters
The statistics speak for themselves—and they’re heartbreaking:
- Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1 to 4.
- Most child drownings occur in backyard pools, often when adults assume someone else is watching.
- For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency care for nonfatal injuries, many with lasting consequences.
But together, we can change this.
About America’s Backyard Heroes
At America’s Backyard Heroes, we exist for one reason – To eliminate pool-related drownings and injuries.
As a non-profit foundation, we work to make a measurable difference by supporting education, prevention programs, and emergency response resources. Our initiatives fall into three main focus areas:
- Empowering Parents: We provide drowning prevention programs and resources tailored to caregivers so they can recognize risks and take action.
- Educating Kids: Through fun and age-appropriate learning activities, we help children understand how to stay safe around water.
- Supporting First Responders: We offer funding to lifeguards, paramedics, and other frontline heroes to grow or launch drowning prevention initiatives in their communities.
Our funding comes from generous individual donors and corporate sponsors who believe every splash should be a safe one.
Explore Our Signature Programs
At America’s Backyard Heroes, our mission comes to life through three unique programs—each focused on a different aspect of drowning prevention. Whether it’s equipping first responders, educating parents, or preparing families for emergencies, these programs are designed to make a lasting impact in our communities.
First Responder Program
Our First Responder Program provides funding support to lifeguards, paramedics, and emergency personnel who are launching or expanding drowning prevention initiatives. Whether it’s community education events, safety trainings, or public awareness campaigns, we stand behind the heroes who protect lives every day and give them the tools they need to reach more families.
Pool Watcher Program
Supervision saves lives. The Pool Watcher Program is designed to help adults understand and embrace the critical role they play in preventing child drownings. Through easy-to-follow materials and resources, we train parents and caregivers on how to be active, attentive, and distraction-free while children are swimming. Pool watchers are the first line of defense—and we’re here to help them succeed.
Pool Safety 911
In an emergency, every second counts. Pool Safety 911 empowers families to create a personalized emergency plan that includes locating life-saving equipment, setting safety rules, and ensuring everyone knows how to respond in a crisis. It’s all about preparation—because being ready can mean the difference between life and tragedy.
Level Up Your Pool Safety Skills
One of the most exciting tools we offer is our Pool Safety Level Up Game—an engaging, interactive way to teach pool safety to both kids and adults. The game includes three fun levels, each designed to help players recognize common backyard pool hazards and learn how to prevent them.
As players progress, they’ll team up with three of our backyard heroes: Lifeguard Lisa, who teaches how to spot unsafe swimming behaviors; Paramedic Patty, who shares tips on responding quickly and calmly during poolside emergencies; and Pool Trooper Ted, who’s on patrol to ensure every corner of the backyard is safe.
With each level, participants gain valuable safety knowledge and take one step closer to becoming a certified Backyard Hero. It’s educational, fun, and perfect for families looking to build safer swimming habits together.
Join the Mission
Water safety starts with awareness, and you can make a difference.
Support our mission, explore safety resources, or play the Level Up Game by visiting:
www.americasbackyardheroes.com
Let’s work together to make this summer safe, fun, and worry-free—one backyard at a time.
