Safety Tips: Drowning Prevention

Young children are attracted to water. Florida ranks among states with the highest unintentional drowning deaths in the nation for children ages one to four, with Miami-Dade County among the hardest hit counties in the state.

It takes only inches of water for a small child to drown. Taking extra safety steps at home and around pools, spas and all bodies of water can prevent drowning incidents.

• According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the majority of injuries and deaths in pools and spas involve children younger than five years of age and occur in residential settings such as the victim’s home or that of a family member, friend or neighbor
• Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages one to four
• Drowning occurs when there is a short lapse in adult supervision
• Little children drown quickly and silently

Rule #1: Never leave a child unattended around a pool, spa, bathtub or any other body of water.

• Teach children basic water safety skills
• Learn how to swim and ensure that your children learn to swim as well
• Avoid entrapment by keeping children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings
• Have a phone close by at all times when visiting a pool or spa
• If a child is missing, look for them in the pool or spa first, including the neighbors' pools or spas
• Share safety instructions with family, friends, babysitters and neighbors

If you have a pool:

• Install a 4-foot fence around the perimeter of the pool and spa, including portable pools
• Use self-closing and self-latching gates
• If your house serves as the fourth side of a fence around a pool, install and use a door or pool alarm
• Maintain pool and spa covers in good working order
• Ensure any pool or spa you use has compliant drain covers
• Have equipment such as life rings, floats, or a reaching pole available and easily accessible

At home:

• Always keep young children within arm's reach in a bathtub. If you must leave, take your child with you
• Don't leave a baby or young child in a bathtub under the care of another young child
• Never leave a bucket or basin containing even a small amount of liquid unattended
• Consider placing locks and toilet seat covers in case a young child wanders into the bathroom