Important Facts
- Each year, more than 830 children ages 14 and under die as a result of unintentional drowning.
* On average, an annual 3,600 injuries occur to children due to a near-drowning incident.
* 9 out of 10 of these instances are said to have taken place while under adult supervision.
* Home swimming pools are the most common site for a drowning to occur for a child between the ages 1 to 4 years.
* In the summer, between May and August, drowning deaths among children increase 89 percent over the rest of the year. - Approximately 75 percent of pool submersion deaths and 60 percent of pool submersion injuries occur at a home.
- 16 percent of drowning deaths in children under 5 years of age are at a family or friend’s pool while 17 percent of deaths occur at a public, community or neighborhood pool.
* The majority of infant (less than 1 year old) drowning deaths happen in bathtubs, buckets or toilets. - Recreational boating accidents caused 11 drowning deaths in 2004; more than half of the children were not wearing personal flotation devices or life jackets.
(Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention & Safe Kids USA)
~For every drowning there are eleven near drowning incidents, according to government statistics; many of which result in totally disabling brain damage.
According to a study on children under 5 in 3 different states, conducted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, to find out how child drowning incidents occur indicates that SUPERVISION CAN AND DOES FAIL.
>69% of the children were thought to not be in the pool or pool area.
>77% of the children had been seen 5 minutes or less before being missed and subsequently discovered in the pool.
It is so important to prepare your children the best you can by educating them, giving them survival/self rescue lessons, swimming lessons, and helping them understand the dangers of water.
**As adults we must pledge to be WATER WATCHERS. A water watcher is an adult who gives their undivided attention to supervising children in or near the water. This means no using cell phones, no socializing, no reading or eating, etc. **
ABCD's of Water Safety
A- Always have Adult Supervision.
*One adult should be assigned as the Water Watcher, giving undivided attention
to the swimmers. Trade off every 15- 20 minutes so there is always fresh
eyes on children in or around the water.
B- Barriers
* Self-closing and self locking gates/fences and pool covers need to be in
place. Remove all tables, chairs and toys surrounding the pool that
would give children access to the area. A four foot fence surrounding
a pool reduces the risk of drowning in half!
C- Classes
* Educate yourself on water safety. Take all necessary precautions.
Enroll your children in self-rescue and swimming lessons.
Become certified in CPR and first aid.
D- Drains
* Stay away from drains! If you find one that is loose or broken in any way,
report it to be replaced/fixed. Drain covers should be dome shape, not flat
with very small openings to avoid entrapment.
You Never know what "layer" of protection you may need... until you do! *
Children's Books!
Below are 3 great children's books written by fellow Families United to Prevent Drowning members. Click on each picture to be directed to their websites so you can find out how to get them for yourself. Be sure to see all the other amazing things these organizations are up to and all the wonderful water safety information available.
*We will be working to create links to some helpful materials that can be used in both public and private swimming areas. Stay tuned for these coming updates!*
Water Safety Partners
In order to meet this tremendous need we need to work together. As a network, speaking the same language, we can reach many. Below you will find links to others who are on the same mission as we are; promoting water safety.
