LOS ANGELES — For the first time in five years, all LA County Parks and Recreation pools are open for six days a week until the end of October, giving residents access to aquatic facilities.

It also provides the community a chance to learn to swim and water safety skills, which are crucial ahead of the summer months.

This comes as a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows an increase in drowning deaths across the U.S. by more than 10% over the past few years.

Between 2020 and 2022, more than 4,500 people drowned, which is about 500 more drowning deaths annually compared to 2019. The report cites pandemic disruptions may be a factor.

The data also showed that drowning deaths for kids from ages 1 to 4 also increased to almost 30% versus 2019.