How to keep kids safe from drowning accidents

Pediatrics
Little girl playing near a pond in the summer.

By: our partners at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

We don’t know about you, but we’re more than ready to ramp up the trips to the pool and beach to stay cool while we enjoy the summer season. However, with all that fun comes an increased risk of drowning.

Unintentional drowning is the leading cause of death for young children age 1 to 4 and the second leading cause of death for children age 5 to 14.

Here's what parents should know about preventing drowning accidents and what steps they can take to keep their kids safe.

The hidden hazards of water

Safety experts have focused drowning-prevention efforts on swimming pools and, for younger children, bathtubs and smaller containers of water. Those are big risks, and parents should never leave children unattended when they are in or near any water, even for a minute.

But the risks to children and teenagers in open water haven’t received as much attention. Whether the water is murky or cloudy or because currents and tides make open water unpredictable, it's important to practice safety measures around any body of water.

Signs of drowning in water can include:

  • A child can’t yell for help. If an adult calls to a child or asks them if they are OK, and the child gives no answer or looks at the adult with a blank stare, this may indicate the child is struggling and needs assistance.
  • The child’s head is back and low in the water with the mouth at water level.
  • The child is not using their legs. The child is vertical in the water, often bobbing up and down.
  • The child appears to be climbing an invisible ladder or pressing down on the water to raise their head.

Water safety tips

Drowning occurs quickly and quietly, so parents can’t assume they'll be alerted by yells or splashes. In real life, there is very little splashing, waving or screaming. It’s critical to pay close attention and to prepare your child with basic water safety skills, including:

  • Watch children when they are in or near the water, without distraction
  • Always swim with a partner
  • Be clear which adult is watching
  • Install fences around home pools
  • Install safety devices for pools such as barriers, covers and alarms
  • Empty kids’ pools after each use

For more on how to keep your kids safe from drowning accidents, including water-survival skills for kids, read the full article on CHOP’s website.

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