Swimming safety reminders to remember as swimming pool deaths seen

PRINCETON, WV (WVNS)– West Virginia is home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls and serene nature spots out there- which is why so many people travel from out of state to enjoy it. 

However, recent data shows that keeping swimming safety in mind is more important than ever-even when looking at regular swimming pools.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has recently confirmed that 9 children under the age of 5 have now died in Virginia this year due to drowning in swimming pools. 

It’s not unlike cases we’ve heard about here in West Virginia, where last month in June 2025, a 4-year-old girl drowned in a recreational pool in Logan, and this month in July 2025, a 13-year-old girl drowned in the Ohio River in Weirton.

Environmental Health Coordinator Briana Bill, however, said that there are things you can do to prevent drowning, including active supervision, flotation devices and checking pool drains.

“Drains can present a drowning hazard through suction, so your hair, your bathing suit, or your body could become entrapped under the water because of the suction of a drain, and ways to prevent that is to not swim around the drains, and also to be aware of the condition of the drain,” said Bill. 

When it comes to waterfalls, lakes, and streams, you’re going to want to be extra cautious.

West Virginia has tons of tourists in the Summer months, and it can be especially dangerous for people swimming in an environment unfamiliar to them.

“Whether they live here or they’re visiting, you should always be super careful,” said Jamie Null, Executive Director with Visit Mercer County. “There’s not lifeguards, you know, at our watering hole, so to speak. Make sure that you have people with you, don’t go by yourself, you know, wear proper footwear, don’t jump off the rocks at any of the waterfalls.”

You should also make sure you know how deep the water goes, how good the visibility is, and that there isn’t anything you can possibly hit or get trapped under.

It’s also important to know what drowning actually looks like- so you can step in to help if needed. 

“Drowning doesn’t look like what they portray on the movies or TV, right? There’s not a lot of splashing. There’s not a lot of yelling,” said Bill. “It’s actually quite silent and can happen very quickly… a person goes into what we call a instinctive drowning response when they- when the body feels like it’s in threat of suffocation from water, it goes into a response where it tries to use your arms and legs to keep you above the water, so it almost looks like someone’s climbing a ladder.”

Bill warned that people can typically only hold this vertical climbing position for around a minute or two, so it’s incredibly important to act quickly. 

So, as you enjoy swimming this summer, just remember to stay safe.