Drowning Prevention

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Steps to Keep Children from Drowning

Drowning Facts

Drowning is silent and happens in seconds.
There are no warning sounds or splashing when someone is drowning.
Drownings can happen in as little as one inch of water.
While drowning can happen to anyone, children are at greatest risk.
More children ages 1 - 4 die from drowning than any other cause of death. Most infant drownings happen in bathtubs and buckets.
Children under age 5 who drown usually have unexpected, unsupervised access to water, such as in a family or friend’s pool.
Among children 5 to 14 years, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death.
Among children 5 to 17 years, drownings are more likely to happen in natural water, such as a pond or lake.

The Five Layers of Protection

Drownings happen quickly and quietly, so no single prevention strategy is enough. Use the following Five Layers of Protection to prevent drownings and save lives.

Barriers & Alarms

Keep bathroom doors and toilet lids closed when not in use.
Empty tubs, buckets, containers and kids’ pools immediately after use. Store them upside down and out of children’s reach.
For private pools and spas, four-sided fencing, self-closing self-latching gates, and safety covers prevent unsupervised access. Add alarms to windows, doors, gates, and the pool to alert unsupervised access.

Supervision

Never leave a child unattended near water
Keep young children within arm’s reach around water.
Always assign a designated Water Watcher around bodies of water. The Water Watcher is a responsible, sober adult who commits to actively and constantly supervise children in or around water, without distractions.
For private pools and spas, set house rules for water safety. Remind guests with children, babysitters, and caregivers about the potential water hazards and the need for constant and capable supervision.
Maintain active supervision of children, even when a lifeguard is on-duty.

Learn to Swim

Take swim lessons to enhance water safety skills and reduce the risk of drowning for yourself and for those around you.
Enroll your child in continuous swim lessons to develop and maintain skills throughout the year. American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCAs, and municipal and neighborhood pools often offer low-cost lessons, financial assistance, and sometimes free swim lessons.
Remember that no one is “drown proof,” even if they have taken swim lessons.

Life Jackets

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) tested and approved life jackets should be worn by everyone, when in or around open water and when boating. Keep in mind that many flotation devices available for young children do not include information about USCG testing and approval.
Ensure appropriate sizing of life jackets for the wearer.
Remember that flotation devices are not a substitute for active, arm’s reach child supervision.

Emergency Preparation

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