As everyone sits in the sun and swims in cool water this summer, it is crucial to stay safe. The latest findings from the new U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission (CPSC) drowning and submersion report highlight the importance of water safety.
In 2020, 339 children younger than age 15 fatally drowned, but in 2021, that figure rose by 12% with 380 children fatally drowning. Children five years old and younger are especially vulnerable – this age group represents 75% of child drowning deaths and 77% of nonfatal injuries.
These findings are sobering and underscore why fatal child drownings are a public health crisis. The good news is these tragedies are preventable.
Parents and caregivers can follow essential water safety guidelines to keep young ones safer in and around water. From 2019 to 2021, an average of 358 children fatally drowned in pools or spas and 6,500 visit the ER annually each year. Drowning is silent, so parents and caregivers should always watch children when they’re in or near water. Assign a Water Watcher, who is an adult responsible for supervising children in the water. Teaching children how to swim can also help them feel more confident around the pool. Swimming is a life-saving skill.
Where the location was known, 81% of fatal child drownings happened in residential settings. Safety devices such as barriers, fences, covers and alarms can offer critical layers of protection for pools. Another hazard associated with pools, deadly suction entrapment, can be prevented by using drain covers that meet the federal safety standard. Children should be warned not to play near drains.
For those in historically excluded communities, there is a disproportionately higher risk of dying from drowning. Where race was known, African American children made up 23% of all fatal drownings, higher than 15% of the population for that age. Among children aged 5 to 14 where race was identified, 45% of drowning deaths were African American children.
Always be prepared for emergencies and foster a culture of water safety among friends and family. Knowing how to perform CPR could save a child or adult’s life. Bystanders are often the first people to aid a drowning victim.
Following proactive water safety measures can help keep your family and friends safer as you enjoy the sunshine and jump into the pool this summer.
For more information about tips to Pool Safely, visit: https://www.poolsafely.gov/parents/safety-tips/ and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and X.