#1 Cause of Accidental Death

Well, it's officially summer! Time to wear our new bathing suits and hit the pools and beaches. Here is your reminder to stay on guard with your young children. 


#1 Cause of Accidental Death for Young Children = DROWNING

•“Drowning is the leading cause of injury death among children aged 1-4yrs” - May 18 issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

•Half of these deaths were in a swimming pool.

•Children can drown in less than 1in of water; in toilet bowls, sinks, bathtubs, buckets of mop water, deep puddles, etc.

•Infants and toddlers have exceptionally heavy heads. A baby’s head is a third of it’s body at birth. They fall into a bucket, toilet, etc. and they can’t pull themselves out.

•“Eighty-four percent of drowning deaths among children ages 5 and under occur at a home, while 45 percent of fatalities among children ages 5 to 14 occur at a public pool.” -  safekids.org

Pool Safety

•“Four-sided isolation fencing around home pools could prevent 50 to 90 percent of childhood drownings and near-drownings. When used properly, door alarms, pool alarms, and automatic pool covers add an extra layer of protection.” – Safekids.org

•“The use of specially-made drain covers, safety vacuum-release systems, multiple filter pumps and other pressure-venting pool filter mechanisms can reduce the risk of entrapment” – safekids.org

•Keep toys away from the pool when the pool is not in use.

•Empty blow-up pools after each use.

•No tricycles or other riding toys at poolside. No stroller by the pool side

•No electrical appliances near the pool.

•No diving in a pool that is not deep enough.

•No running on the pool deck.

Swim Lessons

•Swim lessons are available even for infants just weeks old, but swim lessons will not ‘drown-proof’ your child. While they are great exercise and can help boost your child’s confidence and water safety knowledge, do not let yourself get a false sense of security

•Ever hear of swim buddies? Everyone, no matter what their age or ability can drown. People should never swim alone, no matter what the age. Do not trust older children, teenage babysitters, or lifeguards to watch your children in the pool – that is your job. 


*Please note that no matter how well your little one follows directions, they do not have the mental capability to keep themselves safe. Children are naturally curious and easy to distract.