Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death of children under the age of 15. Infants and toddlers can drown in an inch or two of water. Children under 4 are at especially high risk. Most drownings and near-drownings occur when a pre-school child accidentally falls into a pool or is left alone in the tub.

Drownings happen in a matter of seconds. It could happen in a bathtub, “kiddie pool,” toilet bowl, bucket, or fishpond. A child can drown in the time it takes to answer the telephone. Please take a few minutes to review these safety tips and to review the tips with your children, family and friends.

Drowning Hazards

• Buckets and pails, especially 5-gallon buckets and diaper pails
• Ice chests with melted ice
• Toilets
• Bathtubs, even with baby bathtub supporting ring devices
• Hot tubs, spas, whirlpools, and saunas
• Irrigation ditches and wells

Safety Tips

• Always watch children near water. Don’t leave, even for a moment.
• Teach your child to swim once he or she is ready (usually after age 4-5).
• Never let your young child swim in any body of water without an adult watching.
• Be sure the adult watching your child knows how to swim, and how to get emergency help and perform CPR.
• Keep a life preserver in the pool area to help pull a child to the edge of the pool when necessary.
• Teach your child safety rules and make sure they are obeyed.
• Always use a life vest when on a boat, fishing, or playing in a river or stream.
• Use a barrier like a fence to keep children away from pools or other bodies of
  water.
• Empty and turn over all water containers after you use them.

Teach Your Swimmers These Four Key Rules

• Swim with a buddy, never alone.
• Don't dive or jump into bodies of water. Always wade in first to avoid hitting your head on a shallow bottom.
• Don't push or jump on others.
• Be prepared for an emergency. Know CPR.