It’s that time of the year to start preparing for water safety. A free swim lesson program was launched in Red Bank in response to an increase in drownings nationwide.

Free swim lessons are being offered to all public school third grade students as part of a new water safety initiative.

To help prevent drownings this summer, Monmouth County launched a new program that will allow children ages 7 to 9 to take swim lessons for free at select community pools.

Drowning deaths are on the rise in the United States, officials say. From 2020 to 2022, over 4,500 people drowned. This is 500 more per year compared to 2019.

“Safety around water is a national program of Y of the USA. It’s been around for quite a while to address the need for swim safety, safety around water for kids,” said Sally Darrow, the executive director of Red Bank Family YMCA and Camp Center. “Unfortunately, according to CDC, there are about 4,000 drownings per year which is 11 per day. Ages 1-4 are the primary category of leading death.”

Registration is open for Saturday’s Alpha Fit Club Red Bank Classic 5K. The event starts at 8:30 a.m.