Can a Child Drown After Leaving the Pool? What Bergen County Parents Should Know About Dry Drowning

What is Dry Drowning? Tenafly Pediatrics Video on mybergen.com featuring Dr. Robert Jawetz, explains definitions, symptoms and more.

Video from Tenafly Pediatrics Explains a Lesser-Known but Serious Water Safety Risk

As summer 2025 kicks off in Bergen County, local families are gearing up for long, sunny days spent at backyard pools, lakeside retreats, and Jersey Shore beaches. But while water safety is always top of mind for parents, there’s one danger that many still don’t fully understand: dry drowning and secondary drowning—two conditions that can occur after a child is out of the water.

In this Children’s Health Video from Tenafly Pediatrics, Dr. Robert Jawetz breaks down what parents and caregivers need to know about these rare but potentially serious post-immersion complications. The video explains the difference between dry drowning and secondary drowning, outlines the warning signs to watch for, and provides clear guidance on when to seek medical attention.

Why This Matters for Bergen County Families This Summer

Most parents know the basic rules of water safety—never leave kids unattended, wear life jackets, and teach children to swim. But fewer are aware that drowning doesn’t always happen in the water. In some cases, symptoms may appear minutes or even hours after a child has exited the pool or ocean, which is why education is key.

If your summer plans include time in or around water—and for most families in North Jersey, they probably do—this quick, expert-led video is essential viewing.

Watch this mybergen.com video to get informed and help keep your kids safe this summer.

For more than 30 years, Tenafly Pediatrics has been committed to providing Northern New Jersey families with the finest in pediatric health care. Tenafly Pediatrics staff pediatricians are board-certified and received their education and training from some of the country’s most renowned medical schools and pediatric residency programs.

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