A child can get through a door and into a backyard pool in just a few seconds. Volusia County is betting a simple alarm can stop that from turning into a tragedy.
The county is handing out free pool alarms and door-and-window alarms at regional libraries in Deltona and Port Orange. The giveaway runs Friday 9 a.m. to noon on a first-come, first-served basis.
“Water safety is super important in Volusia County and really all over Florida,” said Carmen Hall, the county’s community assistance director.
How the alarms work
Pool alarms alert homeowners when someone enters the water. Door-and-window alarms sound continuously when an entry point leading to a pool is opened.
County officials caution that the alarms are not a substitute for supervision or safety barriers — they are meant to be an additional layer of protection.
Demand has been high at past giveaways. Hall said the county has distributed all of its alarms in previous years and expects the same result Friday.
“It’s a first-come, first-served basis. It starts at 9 a.m., and I don’t anticipate having any by the afternoon,” Hall said.
Florida child drownings on the rise
Florida has recorded 89 child drownings from January through late August of this year. That pace puts the state on track to surpass last year’s total of 120.
“It’s just really important to make sure that our families have the tools they need to ensure their children are safe around bodies of water in our community,” Hall said.
Who is eligible
To receive a free alarm, residents must:
- Be a Volusia County resident
- Be 18 or older
- Bring proof of residency
Households that received a pool alarm from the county last year are not eligible for another one this year.
Locations
- Deltona Regional Library, 2150 Eustace Ave.
- Port Orange Regional Library, 1005 City Center Circle
Swim scholarships also available
The county is also offering swim scholarships for lower-income families to help cover the cost of swimming lessons.
“We have a swim scholarship program to help households that are lower-income to still have access to swim lessons,” Hall said.
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