Did You Know?
Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death among children
In 1998, 4,406 people drowned, 1,003 children younger than 15 years old
Mississippi has the second highest rate of unintentional drownings in 1998(Alaska had the most)
Children may drown in as little as one to two inches of water
Very young children drown most often in swimming pools.
Most child and teen drownings happen in lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds
These drownings frequently occur in bath tubs, buckets, toilets and wading pools
85% of all boating related deaths are preventable through use of life vests
Alcohol use is involved in about 25 - 50% of adolescent and adult deaths associated with water recreation
A swimming pool is 14 times more likely than a motor vehicle to be involved in the death of a child age 4 and under.
Each year, approximately 1,150 children ages 14 and under drown; more than half are preschoolers (ages 0-4).
Each year, an estimated 5,000 children ages 14 and under are hospitalized due to near-drownings.
Of children surviving near-drownings, 5-20 percent suffer severe and permanent disability.
Where Drownings Happen
Approximately 50 percent of preschooler drownings occur in residential swimming pools.
Each year, more than 2,000 preschooler near-drownings occur in residential pools.
Of preschooler pool drownings, 65 percent occur in the child's home pool and 33 percent at the homes of friends, neighbors or relatives.
Each year, 350 drownings (for all ages) happen in bathtubs.
Each year, approximately 40 children drown in five-gallon buckets.
In ten states--Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington-- drowning surpasses all other causes of death to children ages 14 and under.
How and When Drownings Happen
Of all preschoolers who drown, 70 percent are in the care of one of both parents at the time of the drowning.
Of all preschoolers who drown, 75 percent are missing from sight for five minutes or less.
Two-thirds of all drownings happen between May and August.
Of all drownings, 40 percent occur on Saturdays and Sundays.
Who is at Risk
Of all age groups, children ages 1-4 have the highest drowning death rate.
American Indian and Alaska Native children ages 14 and under have a drowning death rate that is nearly two times higher than white children. A total of 55 percent of these drowning deaths occur in natural bodies of water.
African-American children ages 4 and under have a drowning death rate that is lower than white children and lower than children in the overall population.
African-American children ages 5-14 have a drowning death rate that is nearly three times higher than white children.
Tips!
Prevention
While there is no substitute for adult supervision, safeguards and barriers around pools and hot tubs provide additional protection for children.
Estimates predict that the widespread use of pool fencing would prevent 50-90 percent of pediatric pool drownings and near-drownings.
Adult supervision is critial in the prevention of drownings of children
Never swim alone or in unsupervised places
Keep small children away form buckets containing liquid
Never drink alcohol during or just before swimming
Learn CPR. This is important for pool owners
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