Mayor Michelle Wu jumped into the issue of water safety this summer in an announcement of the city’s Swim Safe initiative — then dove into East Boston’s newly renovated BCYF Paris Street pool.

“Today in Boston, we have an opportunity to ensure that every pool, every beach, every body of water in Boston is safe for all of our families and young people to cool off and have fun,” Wu said, standing at a podium in front of the pool in a striped bathing suit Thursday.

The Swim Safe initiative is comprised of a series of investments in water safety this summer, officials announced, including free swimming lessons for young people, free life jackets at open water locations, and lifeguarding incentives and training programs.

The announcement follows the drowning death of a 4-year-old child who wandered away from his guardian at Castle Island in May.

Swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by nearly 90%, Wu said.

Officials also emphasized that water safety is an issue of racial inequity. One in four Black and one in three Latino parents report never taking swim lessons, Wu cited, compared to one in 25 white parents.

“Fear of the water can trickle down from generation to generation, and breaking the cycle is key to reducing the risk of drowning out Black and brown communities,” said Chief of Human Services Jose Masso. “So today, I want to encourage everyone here to reach out to a friend or loved one who does not know how to swim and encourage them to come out and sign up for lessons.”

The initiative includes 500 free lessons through the Boys and Girls Club of Boston, among other free programs at YMCA and Boston Centers for Youth and Family locations, Wu said, and 1,000 life jackets from the Children’s Hospital Boston.

Thursday also marked the reopening of the BCYF Paris Street Pool, one of two public pools in East Boston, after a 3 year, $10.2 million renovation.

After speaking in the sweltering late morning heat, Wu gathered with a number of East Boston kids, cut the ribbon for the new facility and jumped in the water.

“One pool was not enough for a community of 50,000 plus surrounded by water,” said State Rep. Adrian Madaro. … “This is the type of amenity our folks deserve here in this community. This is what our youth deserve.”

More information on how to sign up for free swimming lessons, access life jackets and become a lifeguard is available on the Boston.gov “Swim Safe Boston” page.