Water Safety

Key Facts

Each year, more than 830 children ages 14 and under die as a result of accidental drowning.

Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death among children ages 1 to 4 years and children 10 to 14 years.  For infants less than 1 year, drowning is the third leading cause of death.

Where, When and How

Home swimming pools are the most common site for a drowning to occur for a child between ages 1 to 4 years.

According to a national study of drowning-related incidents involving children, a parent or caregiver claimed to be supervising the child in nearly 9 out of 10 child drowning-related deaths.

In the summer, between May and August, drowning deaths among children increase 89% over the rest of the year.

The majority of infant (less than 1 year old) drowning deaths happen in bathtubs, buckets or toilets.

Who

Children ages 4 and under have the highest drowning death rate (two times greater than other age groups) and account for 80% of home drownings.

Male children have a drowning rate twice that of female children.

Low-income children are at greatest risk from non-swimming pool drownings.

Proven Interventions

Four-sided isolation fencing around home pools could prevent 50-90% of childhood drownings and near-drownings.  When used properly, door alarms, pool alarms and automatic pool covers add extra protection.

It is estimated that 85% of boating-related drownings could have been prevented if the victim had been wearing a personal flotation device (PFD).

Educational efforts focused on PFDs and safe boating practices are effective in increasing PFD usage.

Costs

In 2000, total drowning injuries cost this nation over $16 billion dollars.

Laws and Regulations

In Georgia, all children under 10 years of age on a moving vessel must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved and appropriately sized PFD.  This law does not apply when a child is within a fully enclosed roofed cabin or other fully enclosed roofed compartment or structure on the vessel.  (Floaties and toy-type rings are NOT approved flotation devices.  52-7-8 (d)(3)

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (www.cpsc.gov) had developed voluntary guidelines, including education and labeling, to address the hazard of infants drowning in 5 gallon buckets.

Recreational boats must carry one properly-sized U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD (accessible and in good condition) for each person on board the vessel.

Water Watcher Cards Help Parents Actively Supervise Young Swimmers As pools open their doors around the country this Memorial Day, Safe Kids Worldwide is offering a tool to help parents keep kids safe in and around water this summer. Drowning deaths among children ages 14 and under increase 89 percent in the summer over the average annual monthly rate, with 64 percent of all children’s drowning deaths occurring in the summer months. Did you know that children can drown in as little as one inch of water? Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death among children ages 1 to 14.  Children can drown in a variety of circumstances – during water recreation (such as swimming and boating) or when a young child is left unsupervised for a short time in the bathtub or around the home with access to nearby pools and hot tubs. A child can drown in as little as one inch of water, and drowning is usually quick and silent. A child will lose consciousness two minutes after submersion, with irreversible brain damage occurring within four to six minutes. Parents and caregivers need to understand the dangers of drowning and know the proper steps to take to protect children.

More Safety Information

Pool and Hot Tub Safety

Beach Safety

Home Water Safety

Boating Safety

Related Documents
Drowning and Water-Related Safety Fact Sheet
Drowning Tips
Pool and Hot Tub Safety Checklist - Parents
Pool and Hot Tub Safety Checklist - Kids
Equipment Checklist for Pool and Hot Tub Owners
Boating and Swimming Safety Checklist - Parents
Boating and Swimming Safety Checklist - Kids

Related Links

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Lake Lanier
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
National Safe Boating Council
National Recreation and Parks Association
U.S. Coast Guard

Life Jacket Distribution Program

The U.S. Corps of Engineers and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources have teamed up with Safe Kids Gainesville/Hall County to provide life jackets to low-income families with children.  For more information, please call (770) 219-8095.

Kids Don't Float Life Jacket Loaner Station at Van Pugh North.

Safe Kids members at the Family Fun Day at Clarks Bridge Park.

Water Safety education at North Hall Middle School.

Life Jacket Swap at Van Pugh Park

Tim Vickery of the DNR teaches water safety at Camp Lifesavers, sponsored by Hall County Fire Services.

Safe Kids Program
Request Form - Click Here

Public Policy

The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act was signed into law by President George Bush on December 19, 2007- Learn more.