The August 2025 deaths of a teenage swimmer in Belmar and a man swimming at Seaside Heights underscore the need for water safety, even as summer winds down. 

Rescue teams were called to a beach on 8th Avenue one August evening after receiving a call about a “swimmer in distress.” They found a teenage girl in the water and administered CPR, but they were unable to save the teen’s life. Another swimmer was also rescued from the water and was uninjured.

Earlier that month, a man died when he was caught in a rip current at an unguarded beach in Seaside Heights.  

Water Safety is Important Year-Round

It’s easy to think of water safety as something to review in the spring and early summer. As the weather warms up, families all over New Jersey try on new swimsuits, dust off their beach and boating gear, and put their safety plans in place.

This year, water safety was a major focus in early summer. In June, the New Jersey Swim Safety Alliance (NJSSA) launched a program to reduce New Jersey drowning deaths by 30 percent in the next five years. New Jersey sees about 64 deaths from unintentional drowning each year, many of which involve children.

However, early summer isn’t the only time water safety matters. Late summer and early fall also land within the most common season for beach and boating injuries in New Jersey. Cooler weather, shorter days, and the distractions of back-to-school events can all increase the risks of injury in the water or on watercraft. 

About 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths occur in the US each year, according to the CDC. These deaths and related injuries tend to peak in July, but they remain elevated as late as October each year. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children under age 5 and the second most common cause of death for children ages 5 to 14. 

Tips for Practicing Water Safety in Late Summer and Fall

To keep water safety in mind year-round, focus on the following tips.

• Invest in swimming lessons. Teaching children and adults to swim can and does save lives, according to the NJSSA. Parents and children can take swim lessons together or separately. Under the guidance of trained instructors, anyone can learn to swim, which can offer vital safety skills in the water.
• Choose beaches and other areas with lifeguards. Lifeguards are trained to monitor swimmers in the water and to respond in emergency situations. When swimming, choose a beach, pool, or park with lifeguards on duty. Interested teens or adults can take lifeguarding classes from the Red Cross or other certified organizations, learning vital life-saving skills for themselves.
• Check the conditions before you swim or boat. Check the water and weather conditions before you head out. In late summer and early fall, check water temperatures. Hypothermia can set in quickly in cooler water, reducing a person’s ability to help or protect themselves in the water.
• Respect rip currents. Rip currents occur when wind and breaking waves push surface water toward shore. The water flows back out through gaps in sandbars or underwater features, creating a strong current that pushes swiftly away from shore. Late summer and early fall weather can increase wind speeds, increasing the risk of rip currents. Learn how to identify potential rip current conditions and what to do if you find yourself caught in a rip current. 
• Leave a plan. Tell someone where you’re going and when you plan to return. Check in periodically so that your friends and family know where you are – and can respond if they don’t hear from you.
• Replace worn safety gear. Late summer sales are a great time to replace worn or outgrown personal flotation devices (PFDs), flashlights, anchor ropes, paddles and oars, and other safety gear for swimming and boating. 
• Take a class. Brush up on your water safety skills with swimming, lifeguarding, small craft, and other classes. The Red Cross and other organizations offer such classes throughout New Jersey. 

Speak to an Experienced New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer

The end of summer includes Labor Day, back-to-school activities, and other events. While it can be a great time to have fun with family and friends, injury risks can also arise. 

If you’re injured this fall in New Jersey, speak to an experienced local injury attorney. The team at Petrillo & Goldberg is here to help.