As temperatures rise and families head to pools, lakes, rivers, and splash pads, it's important to remember that drowning can happen quickly and quietly. Drowning remains the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4 and the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 5–14 in the United States. [cdc.gov]r.
The good news? Most drownings are preventable.
Use the ABCs of Drowning Prevention to help keep your family and even your pets safe around water this summer.
The most important safety measure is active adult supervision.
✅ Stay within arm's reach of young children.
✅ Designate a "Water Watcher" when multiple adults are present.
✅ Avoid distractions such as phones, conversations, or household chores while children are swimming.
✅ If a child goes missing, check the water first.
Drowning is often silent and can occur in seconds.
A physical barrier provides critical protection between children and water.
✅ Install a four-sided fence around pools with self-closing, self-latching gates.
✅ Secure hot tubs with locking covers.
✅ Remove toys from the pool area after use.
✅ Empty kiddie pools, buckets, and other water containers after each use.
Proper pool fencing can significantly reduce the risk of unsupervised access to water. [cdc.gov]
✅ Enroll children in swimming lessons as early as appropriate.
✅ Adults who never learned to swim can benefit from lessons too.
✅ Learn CPR and basic water rescue skills.
✅ Teach children basic water safety rules.
Swimming lessons are one of the most effective ways to reduce drowning risk.
Safety equipment adds another important layer of protection.
✅ Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while boating.
✅ Keep rescue equipment accessible near pools and docks.
✅ Never rely on inflatable toys as flotation devices.
✅ Ensure children wear properly fitted life jackets when appropriate.
Life jackets save lives, especially during boating and water recreation activities.
Many people assume all dogs can swim—but that's not always true. Even strong swimmers can become tired, disoriented, or unable to find their way out of the water.
✅ Teach your dog where the pool steps or exit points are located.
✅ Supervise pets around pools, lakes, and rivers.
✅ Consider a properly fitted pet life jacket when boating or swimming in open water.
✅ Provide fresh drinking water and rest breaks during water activities.
✅ Never force a hesitant pet into the water.
✅ Rinse pets after swimming to remove chlorine, algae, and bacteria.
A little preparation can keep your furry family members safe while they enjoy summer fun, too.
Someone who is drowning may:
- Be unable to call for help.
- Appear upright or vertical in the water.
- Struggle to keep their mouth above the surface.
- Be unable to move toward safety.
What to Do If You Think Someone is Drowning:
- Call for help immediately if you are concerned someone is drowning.
- If the water conditions are safe and you can safely pull the person onto dry land, do so.
- Check for Breathing and pulse and perform CPR or rescue breathing if there is a pulse until help arrives.
- Immobilize the head and neck if able.
- Drowning victims can have complications that are not apparent without the proper evaluation of medical personnel. All drowning victims require medical evaluation in an Emergency Room.
What to Do If You Are Unable To Safely Rescue a Drowning Victim:
- Remember the saying “Reach and Throw-Don’t Go.“ Assess your surroundings looking for something that floats that a victim can grab hold of: A tube or life jacket, or a seat cushion or a long pole to grab onto to pull the victim to safety.
Whether you're at the pool, lake, or splash pad, constant supervision is the best defense against drowning. Taking a CPR class equips you with the skills and confidence to act quickly when every second counts.
For CPR Class information, call 520-625-9400.