Preventing Drowning Incidents

In the United States, drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children under age five. Drowning can occur in as little as one inch of water and in only a matter of minutes. The most common site for drowning in the first year of life is the bathtub. The backyard pool is the next most common site for drowning and near drowning, in young children. Here are some steps you can take to prevent drowning:

• Make sure pools are secure and completely surrounded by a fence with a self-locking gate. Install warning signs advising against unsupervised use.
• Keep items that can be used for climbing (tables, chairs, ladders) away from fences.
• Always provide responsible adult supervision when the pool is in use.
• No tricycles, wagons, walkers or riding toys should be allowed at poolside or on the shores of rivers, lakes and ponds.
• Mount flotation devices designed for lifesaving near the pool.
• Don’t leave small children unattended in the bathtub. If you have to answer the phone or door – take them with you!
• Learn Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) from the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.
• Safety Tip: Never swim in the Brazos River. Water currents in the Brazos are extremely dangerous, even when the water level is low. Drowning victims are often caught in river debris that cannot be seen from the surface.

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