Swimming safety is top of mind this time of year. Is New York a particularly safe place to swim? The data is quite telling.

New York: The Most Dangerous State to Swim In?

According to data recently collected, New York sits high atop the list of the most dangerous states for swimmers.

Personal Injury lawyers Anidjar & Levine based out of Florida have analyzed data from the United States Lifesaving Association regarding swimmer safety. The data that was collected between 2021 to 2023 looks at the total number of beachgoers in each state and at each location and compares it to the total number of beach rescues.

New York came in 2nd place out of all 50 States. Anidjar & Levine explain that there were 73.7 rescues made for every 100,000 beach attendees in the Empire State. They explain further:

4,551,283 people went to the beach, and 3,355 of them had to be rescued

Surprisingly, Oregon came in 1st place. This is due in part to the fact that Oregon had the 3rd lowest number of beachgoers in the US. So,  296 swimmers out of 361,967 swimmers needed to be rescued which is "a rate of 81.8 rescues per 100,000 beachgoers."

Beach Going Safety Tips

While summer is winding down, it's still a good idea to refresh the whole family on beach and ocean safety. The American Red Cross website has a ton of great tips and suggestions including swimming lessons in your neighborhood.

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For the time being, here are some cut-and-dry tips for the family to follow the next time you head to the beach:

  • Always swim in a lifeguarded area
  • Never swim alone, regardless of your age or level of swimming skills.
  • Keep within your fitness and swimming capabilities.
  • Be aware of weather and water conditions and heed warnings.

Learn more at RedCross.Org.

What You Wear in The Pool Can Affect Your Safety

When it comes to water safety, many families are hyper-vigilant about swimming pools at home and in public.

Over the summer months, you may see warnings about bathing suits and how the colors affect your safety in the water.

According to officials, darker color bathing suits are more visible in pools like black, purple, red, and orange. Blues and lighter colors are more difficult to spot in a pool.

READ MORE: Why Does the Color of Your Swimsuit Matter New York

Black, grey, white and even some lighter blues and greens are hard to see in lake water. The safer bathing suit options for lake swimming is bright yellows, orange, red, and pink.

Take a look at the visual below shared by the Plympton Fire Department via Facebook earlier this summer:

Plympton Fire Department via Facebook
Plympton Fire Department via Facebook
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New York's 14 Best Lakes For Swimming

What makes a great swimming hole? Pristine waters, great beaches, mild temps, shallow waters, lifeguards, and more are many of the characteristics that are common in AZ Animals 14 best lakes for swimming in the state of New York. From just outside the city, to the Finger Lakes, to the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, these are your must-visit swimming holes for summer 2023!

Gallery Credit: Matty Jeff

Cool Off and Take a Dip at These Local Swimming Pools in the Hudson Valley


There’s nothing quite like taking a dip in a swimming pool during the warm summer months. The first toe dip, the laps across the pool and sunshine beaming on you as you relax in a float are all things I look forward to.

I don’t have a pool but I have friends who do have their own swimming pool. However, schedules don’t always match up for a swim date. I have been to local swimming pools before and I believe it’s such a smart idea that different counties and towns have this as an option.

Check out these Hudson Valley public swimming pools below.

Gallery Credit: Allison Kay

5 Best Hudson Valley Lakes & Ponds Where Swimming is Allowed

Summer is here, and they are plenty of places to stay cool and swim in the Hudson Valley!

Gallery Credit: Conor Walsh

 

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