Splash Smart Henrico!

Whether you’re young or old, knowing the basics of swimming is incredibly important. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of death for children nationwide.

In 2025, Henrico County experienced several drownings of children. Public safety personnel came together to create the “Splash Smart Henrico!” initiative which is focused on educating our community members about water safety and the resources available in the area.

WATER SAFETY TIPS

We know fun in the water starts with safety. If you’re just starting to learn how to swim, please consider the following tips:

Provide close and constant attention to children you are supervising in or near the water

• Always swim with a buddy;
• Swim in a designated area supervised by lifeguards;
• Never leave a young child unattended near water.

Use layers of protection

• Stay within an arm’s reach of any weak or inexperienced swimmers;
• Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear approved life jackets around water;
• Secure your pool with appropriate barriers to prevent unsupervised access to the water.

Know what to do in an emergency

• If a child is missing, check the water first;
• Call 911;
• Have the appropriate equipment on hand (i.e. life ring, cell phone, life jackets, first aid kit) in order to assist with a recovery;
• Know how to do CPR; the American Red Cross offers courses in the area.

Water safety also applies during the colder months. While Henrico County may experience bone chilling temperatures, there are still dangers when it comes to ice on rivers, lakes and ponds. They may look solid – but they are thin and unpredictable.

RESOURCES

Since 2018, Henrico has partnered with a number of swim organizations aimed at supporting water-safety and healthy lifestyle initiatives.

In 2020, the Frank J. Thornton YMCA Aquatic Center opened to the public, providing residents of Henrico’s east end with a place to swim, learn water safety and have access to safe aquatic facilities.

This facility offers a variety of programs including swimming lessons and free swim for county residents on Saturdays and Sundays from 2:15-4:30 p.m.

In 2019, the county entered another public-private partnership with NOVA of Virginia Aquatics to develop an indoor aquatics center, repurposing space at Regency while supporting water-safety and healthy lifestyle initiatives for county students and others.

Both sites take part in swim lesson programs for Henrico County Public Schools students.

EVENTS

The Henrico County Police Division, Division of Fire, Outreach and Engagement, Recreation and Parks and YMCA of Greater Richmond are hosting a free water safety event on Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Eastern Henrico Recreation Center (1440 N. Laburnum Ave) and Frank J. Thornton YMCA Aquatic Center. Learn more about this event.