Every accidental drowning is a tragic reminder of how quickly life can be taken from a child who is in or near water. According to Safe Kids Gwinnett, more than 980 children died in 2023 in the U.S. due to an accidental drowning.

Although 90 percent of parents say they supervise their children while they are swimming, many acknowledge that they engage in other distracting activities at the same time – talking, eating, reading, or taking care of another child. Safe Kids Gwinnett urges parents and caregivers to actively supervise their children when they are in or near water at all times.

A child can get into trouble in a matter of seconds. This is why it is so important that adults actively supervise kids when they are in or near water and take turns serving as the designated “Water Watcher” to ensure that a watchful eye is on the children at all times.

Safe Kids Gwinnett cautions that even a near-drowning incident can have lifelong consequences. Kids who survive a near-drowning incident may experience brain damage that can cause memory problems, learning disabilities, and permanent loss of basic functions. In fact, after just four to six minutes under water – the damage is usually irreversible. To help keep kids safe this pool season, Safe Kids Gwinnett recommends using layers of protection and to Lock, Look, and Learn:

Lock

• Pools and spas should be surrounded on all four sides by a fence at least four feet high with self-closing and selflatching gates. This type of isolation fencing could prevent 50 to 90 percent of child drowning in residential pools.
• Pools and spas should have compliant anti-entrapment drain covers and back up devices to ensure safer places for children to swim.
• Be mindful of inflatable or portable pools – these types of pools can also pose a drowning risk and are generally not separated by fencing on all four sides.

Look

• Always watch children when they are in or near any type of water. According to a national study, a parent or caregiver claimed to be supervising the child in nearly nine out of 10 child drowning-related deaths.
• Designate a “Water Watcher” – a responsible adult who is in charge of watching children while they are in or near water. The Water Watcher should not be distracted by phone calls, text messages, reading, or talking to others.
• Supervise children even if they know how to swim – knowing how to swim does not prevent drowning. Children who can’t swim well or can’t swim at all should be within your arm’s reach. They can also wear properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets.
• Keep a phone near you – use it only to call for help if there is an emergency.
• If a child is missing, ensure they are not in the water.

Learn

• Learn how to swim – it is an important skill for both children and adults to know.
• Learn to use life jackets — children who can’t swim or can’t swim well can wear U.S. Coast Guard approved life
  jackets that are appropriate for the child’s size and weight. Don’t rely on inflatable swimming toys such as water
  wings and noodles; these toys should never be used in place of U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets.
  Learn CPR and know how to use rescue equipment – these are important skills to know if there is an emergency.
  In less than two hours, you can learn effective interventions that can give a fighting chance to a child whose
  breathing and heartbeat have stopped.
• Teach children water safety rules such as never swim alone, always wear a life jacket while boating, and never
  swim or play near pool or spa drains.

For more information about drowning and water safety, call Safe Kids Gwinnett at 678.518.4854 or visit SafeKids.org/Water.

Safe Kids Gwinnett works to prevent unintentional childhood injury, the number one cause of death for children in the United States. Safe Kids Gwinnett is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing unintentional injury. Safe Kids Gwinnett was founded in 2010 and is led by Gwinnett County Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services.