May is National Water Safety Awareness Month! (Part 1)

Drowning is preventable and is still a leading cause of death among kids. In fact, it is the #1 cause for children ages 1-4 years old. Together we can help raise awareness to prevent water injuries, so your family can have fun and stay safe in the water this spring and summer! 

Is My Child at Higher Risk?

Toddlers ages 1-4 are at highest risk, especially those between 12-36 months. There's a second spike in the teen years, particularly for boys ages 15-19. 

Where Do Drownings Happen?

Babies (under 1 year): Most infant drownings happen in bathtubs and large buckets. Drowning can happen in less than a minute, in just a few inches of water, even when you step away "just for a second."

Toddlers and Preschoolers (1-4 years): More than half of drownings happen in swimming pools. In most cases, the child wasn't even supposed to be near the pool, they wandered out when no one was looking. This is why barriers like pool fences are so critical! About a quarter of toddler drownings happen in natural water like ponds, lakes, and rivers.

Important: Never leave water unattended around the home. Empty wading pools, large buckets, and bathtubs after every use.

School-Age Kids (5-14 years): These kids are just as likely to drown in natural bodies of water as in pools. They're getting more independent and may be swimming with friends rather than under constant adult supervision.

Teens (15-19 years): Most teen drownings happen in natural water: lakes, rivers, and oceans. Alcohol is involved in 30-70% of these deaths. Teens often overestimate their abilities and underestimate risks, especially when friends are around. Drownings can even occur when not intending to get in the water, like when crossing streams or rivers while hiking.

The Key to Water Safety: The 5 Layers

Many people do not realize that  swimming lessons alone won't prevent drowning, not even for strong swimmers! The key is using multiple strategies together.

Experts recommend 5 Layers of Protection:

1. Barriers and Alarms - Physical barriers (like pool fences) that keep kids away from water when you're not watching

2. Supervision - Constant, eyes-on, distraction-free watching (yes, that means putting your phone away!)

3. Water Competency - Swimming skills and teaching kids how to be safe around water

4. Life Jackets - Properly fitted, Coast Guard-approved life jackets for boating and open water

5. Emergency Preparation - Knowing CPR and having a plan if something goes wrong

Think of these layers like Swiss cheese, each one has some holes, but when you stack them all together, you create a solid shield of protection.

Looking ahead:

In our next post, we'll break down each of these 5 layers with practical tips you can start using right away. We'll show you exactly what to do, where to find resources (including FREE swim lessons and life jacket loaner stations!), and how to make water safety a natural part of your family's routine.

For more information right now, check out Seattle Children's water safety page: https://www.seattlechildrens.org/health-safety/injury-prevention/water-safety/

Sources Cited

1. Denny SA, Quan L, Gilchrist J, et al. Prevention of Drowning. Pediatrics. 2021;148(2):e2021052227. doi:10.1542/peds.2021-052227

2. DeGeorge KC, Neltner CE, Neltner BT. Prevention of Unintentional Childhood Injury. American Family Physician. 2020;102(7):411-417.

3. National Drowning Prevention Alliance. 5 Layers of Protection. Available at: https://ndpa.org/layers/. Accessed April 2025.

4. Seattle Children's Hospital. Life Jackets for Children and Teens. Available at: https://www.seattlechildrens.org/health-safety/injury-prevention/life-jackets-for-children-and-teens/. Accessed April 2025.

5. Seattle Children's Hospital. Water Safety. Available at: https://www.seattlechildrens.org/health-safety/injury-prevention/water-safety/. Accessed April 2025.