Safety

“Reach Supervision” means your child is always within arm’s reach and under your direct supervision. This level of close supervision is important at all times, not just during swim activities or when you are near water. Approximately half of all children with autism are known to elope, and the vast majority are attracted to water. Staying close is your first line of defense in preventing dangerous situations that can arise from elopement, including drowning and traffic injuries.

Learn more about elopement and practical strategies for prevention from our free online modules!

Assign a Water Watcher
Assign a responsible adult to provide close and constant supervision any time you are near water. Make sure everyone knows who the Water Watcher is and that they are able to supervise without distractions.

Do NOT assume other adults are watching! Always be sure to clearly assign another responsible adult before leaving. Use a Water Watcher tag to physically hand over the supervision responsibility so that the Water Watcher knows when they are “on duty”.

Swim Lessons Save Lives! Learning to swim and practicing water safety skills are among the most effective ways to help prevent drowning. We encourage families to explore free and low-cost swim lesson opportunities available in their communities.

Use our Swim Lesson Directory to find a provider near you!
Swim Lesson Directory

CARD Can Help!
Your CARD Consultant can help you identify risks, teach you practical strategies, and provide resources and tools for keeping your family safer.
CARD regularly participates in community events and outreach programs. Pick up door alarms, Josh the Otter water safety bookmarks, and cabinet locks when you see us in your area - Visit our Calendar and follow our social media to see where our team will be this month! 

• Printable Safety Coloring Sheets

Water Safety Videos

Josh the Otter loves to give high fives when he’s out in the community.  Follow our social media to see where he might be spotted near you! 

Autism Society of Florida
The Autism Society of Florida offers resources, education, and drowning prevention initiatives designed specifically for individuals with autism and their families.

CARD Safety Kits
CARD-USF offers free Safety Kits that include door/window alarms, cabinet locks, medication lockboxes, visual supports, and information on best practices for safety. CARD Consultants can help walk you through how to use the materials effectively and develop safety strategies that work for your family’s needs.

Reach out to your consultant or contact our Resource Office (card-usf@usf.edu) to learn more about our Safety Kits!

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Secure Your Pool

Fencing: Pool barriers are an important part of drowning prevention. Installing isolation fencing around pools can reduce the mortality risk for child drowning by 83%. Pool fencing should be at least 4 feet tall and have self-latching doors. Check the section below for resources that may be able to assist with pool fencing.

Alarms: Pool and door alarms add another layer of protection. You can place alarms on your home door leading out to your pool, water disturbance alarms that alert when water displacement is detected, and you can also use wearable child immersion alarms.

Reaching Pole: A safety reaching device, such as a shepherd’s crook or pool safety hook, should be readily accessible at your pool. Ensure that all water watchers know where to find the rescue tool and how to use it effectively to rescue a distressed swimmer.

Each layer of protection is an opportunity to prevent drowning. Check out the Safety Barrier Guidelines for Residential Pools for more detailed information about drowning prevention in your home pool.

Many families may qualify for free or reduced-cost swim lessons through scholarships, grants, vouchers, or health insurance benefits.

Statewide Resources (All Florida Counties)

WaterSmartFL
Provides swim lesson scholarship opportunities throughout Florida. Check the website regularly for scholarship application dates and availability!

Every Child A Swimmer
Helps families locate swim lessons and scholarship opportunities.

Florida Drowning Prevention Foundation
Offers swim lesson scholarship programs.

Step Up For Students
Families receiving educational scholarships may be able to use approved funds for swim lessons and related safety services.

Medicaid and Health Insurance Benefits

Some Florida Medicaid managed care plans may offer swim lessons as an expanded benefit. Coverage varies by plan and may change annually.
How to Check Your Coverage

• Locate the Member Services phone number on your insurance card.
• Call your health plan and ask whether swim lessons are covered.
• Ask:
• Who is eligible?
• Is there an age limit?
• Is prior approval required?
• Are vouchers or reimbursements available?
• Must lessons be provided by approved instructors?

Examples of Available Benefits
Sunshine Health

• Care Grant may provide up to $150 annually for swim lessons for children up to 18 years old.
• Additional swim lesson benefits may be available for Child Welfare Plan members under 21 years old.
• May require a medical necessity review.

Humana Healthy Horizons

• May provide up to $200 annually toward approved swim lessons, with a focus on preventing water-related accidents.

Simply Healthcare (Florida Healthy Kids)

• Swim lesson benefits may be available for eligible members.
• Availability and benefit amounts may vary.

Contact your insurance provider directly to verify current benefits, eligibility requirements, and approved lesson providers.

Local Scholarships and Resources

Hillsborough County
Water Smart Tots Foundation
Swim lesson scholarships and participating swim schools.

BayCare Kids Wellness & Safety Center
Offers:

• CPR classes
• Door alarms
• Pool alarms (limited availability)
• Water safety education

Tampa YMCA Swim Lesson Vouchers
Funded through the Children's Board of Hillsborough County.
For information: drowningprevention@tampaymca.org

Children's Board Drowning Prevention Resources
The Children’s Board Drowning Prevention campaign provides water safety education and resources like their Mobile Water Safety Team. Additional resources available from the Children's Board: https://www.childrensboard.org

Pasco County

Pasco County Aquatics Program
Scholarships may be available for qualifying Pasco County residents ages 3-8 (eligibility based on income guidelines). Please contact 727-861-3033 for more information on registering.

Pinellas County

Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB)
Water Smart Brochure: Includes locations for free and low-cost swim lessons, CPR classes, and important drowning prevention strategies

Pool Fencing Scholarships

Just Against Children Drowning (JACD)
Provides drowning prevention education, pool fencing assistance, and swim scholarships.