Water Safety Information
At Herkimer Central School District, the safety of our students and families is always our top priority. New York state features beautiful lakes, rivers and seasonal environments, but these recreation spots require careful safety habits.
To help prevent water-related injuries, New York State Education Law requires schools to share important water safety and drowning prevention information with our community starting in the 2026-2027 school year. Additionally, we’ve incorporated this information into our local health and physical education programs, as required by state law.
Please review these essential safety guidelines with your family to ensure everyone stays safe throughout the year:
General Water Safety & Drowning Prevention
- Never Leave Children Unattended: Always designate a sober, focused adult to watch children whenever they are in or near water, including backyard pools and bathtubs.
- Practice Safe Swimming: Encourage your children to only swim in designated areas where a certified lifeguard is on duty. Teach them to use the buddy system and never swim alone.
- Wear Life Jackets: Children, inexperienced swimmers and everyone participating in boating activities should always wear a properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
- Learn CPR and Swimming Skills: Enrolling children in swim lessons and having adults trained in CPR are among the best ways to prevent drowning fatalities.
Seasonal Ice and Winter Safety
Because we live in Upstate New York, our water safety needs change with the seasons. Frozen ponds, lakes and streams pose unique hazards.
- Stay Off Uncertified Ice: Never walk, skate or play on frozen waterways unless local emergency responders or park officials have explicitly stated the ice is thick enough to be safe.
- Supervise Winter Activities: Keep a close eye on children and pets during outdoor winter play to ensure they do not wander onto weak, thawing or unpredictable seasonal ice.
By practicing these simple habits, we can enjoy everything the local environment has to offer while keeping safe. For further details on outdoor and winter safety, families can consult the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation here: https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/swimming and here: https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hiking/winter-safety.
If you have any questions about safety programming in our schools, please contact School Business Manager Chad Hess at 315-866-2230, ext. 1303, or chess@herkimercsd.org.