Drowning Prevention Initiative - Pool & Water Safety Alarms

Published

Mar 16, 2026

Manatee County Children’s Services is helping families add an extra layer of protection around water by offering FREE pool and water safety alarms to residents with children in the home.

Drowning can happen quickly and silently. In Florida, it remains one of the leading causes of accidental death for children. Simple safety devices like pool alarms can help alert caregivers when a door, window, or pool surface is disturbed, giving families precious time to respond.

This initiative was supported through grant funding approved by the Manatee County Children’s Services Advisory Board and the Board of County Commissioners as part of the county’s commitment to protecting children and strengthening family safety.

These alarms are intended to complement other important safety practices, including:

Active adult supervision around water
Pool barriers and secure gates
Swimming lessons for children
Water safety education

While alarms cannot replace supervision, they can provide an additional warning if a child enters the water unexpectedly.

Pool alarms are one more tool that can help prevent tragedies before they happen.

A Community Effort to Prevent Drownings

Manatee County continues to work with public safety professionals, community organizations, and families to promote water safety throughout the community. Programs like this help ensure families have access to practical tools that can make homes safer for children.

Pick up Locations & Information

You can pick up any water safety alarms at the below locations, please see the requirements here to see if you qualify. You can reach out via email to [email protected] for additional details.