11 drownings reported in Oakland County this year

State Rep. Donni Steele on Friday called for the Legislature to consider Senate Bill 736, which would require schools to teach water safety courses. The plan introduced earlier this year by Sen. Roger Victory, R-Hudsonville, would require water safety instruction for every public school student.

“Teaching our kids water safety is the only way we can ensure that people have the tools they need to stay safe when they’re out in the water on a hot summer day,” said Steele, R-Orion Township. “If we can send our kids home from school with proper water safety training, maybe they’ll pass that information along to family and friends who may need a refresher.”

Recent reporting revealed that there have been 11 drownings in Oakland County this year, up from four in 2023. Oakland County is home to around 450 inland lakes, more than any other county in Michigan. Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said most drowning incidents this year didn’t involve alcohol or other substance abuse.

“I live on a small lake very close to Lake Orion,” Steele said. “Last summer, a friend of mine drowned. This is an issue that’s very close to home for me. If there’s anything we can do to prevent more of these tragic deaths from happening in the future, we need to make it happen.”

Victory said there have been over 1,550 drowning deaths in the Great Lakes since 2010. His bill does not require swimming lessons, but mandates schools provide students with age-appropriate education and understanding of water safety practices and safe swimming conditions.

“Sen. Victory introduced this plan earlier this year. After all the devastating drowning deaths this summer, it’s become even more evident that his plan requires immediate attention by lawmakers,” Steele said. “A single bill obviously won’t stop drownings altogether. But, by passing Sen. Victory’s plan, we can take this concerning rise in drowning deaths seriously and make a real difference.”

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