WASHINGTON – Deadly drownings among children under age 15 increased by 12% in 2021 compared to the previous year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) annual drowning and submersion report.
The report, released Tuesday, addressed nonfatal drownings for the period 2021-2023 and fatal drownings for the period 2019-2021 — reflecting a lag in reporting fatal drowning numbers.
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According to CPSC, drowning remains the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4 years old, with a disproportionately higher risk for children in Black communities.
“Children can drown quickly and silently and the increase in drownings for this age group is a sobering reminder of how prevalent these tragedies are,” said CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric. “Parents and caregivers should never let their guard down around water, that means installing layers of protection, like fencing, alarms, pool covers, and self-latching features to keep unsupervised kids from accessing the water.”
Between 2019 and 2021, there was an average of 358 pool- or spa-related fatal drownings reported per year, and 75% of those victims were younger than 5 years old.
In 2021, there was a total of 380 deadly child drownings. In 2020, there were 339 deadly drownings reported.
Between 2021 and 2023, there was an average of 6,500 pool-or-spa-related, nonfatal drowning injuries that required a visit to the emergency room each year, according to CPSC.
CPSC shared the following tips to keep children safer in and around water:
- Never leave a child unattended in or near water, and always designate an adult “Water Watcher.” This person should not be reading, texting, using a phone or being otherwise distracted. In addition to pools and spas, this warning includes bathtubs, buckets, decorative ponds, and fountains.
- If you own a pool or spa, install layers of protection, including barriers to prevent an unsupervised child from accessing the water. Homes can use door alarms, pool covers, and self-closing, self-latching devices on fence gates and doors that access pools.
- Learn how to perform CPR on children and adults.
- Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim.
- Keep children away from pool drains, pipes, and other openings to avoid entrapments.
- Ensure any pool and spa you use has drain covers that comply with federal safety standards. If you do not know, ask your pool service provider about safer drain covers.
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