Drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1-4 in Florida. The state has the highest drowning death rate in this age group across the U.S. Enough children drown each year in Florida to fill three to four preschool classrooms. Collier County has not been spared this preventable tragedy. According to the Bureau of Vital Statistics, drowning is the leading cause of death of children ages 1-4 in our county.
Every hour, every day, more than 40 people lose their lives to drowning; 372,000 people drown each year, with those under five years old at the most significant risk, according to the World Health Organization. Globally, over half of all drowning deaths are under 25 years old.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about eleven people a day die from unintentional drowning. Of these, two are children aged 14 or younger. Drowning ranks fifth among the leading causes of accidental injury death in the United States.
The NCH Safe & Healthy Children’s Coalition recognizes that multiple layers of protection are necessary to prevent drowning. No single device or solution can prevent a child from drowning. Parents, caregivers, aquatic facility owners and managers, and operators should use layers of protection to provide a system of increased security to prevent unauthorized access to water, especially with children. This means that multiple strategies or devices are used constantly and simultaneously.
Drowning happens to the BEST PARENTS and the BEST PEOPLE.
Layers of protection and prevention include various barriers, including supervision, fences, pool covers, alarms, education, etc. Some layers aid in preventing access to the water, such as fences or pool safety covers. Other layers, such as alarms, will alert adults immediately if the barriers have been crossed. Finally, some layers minimize injury should a child gain access to the water, such as swim instruction, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets, proper rescue techniques, and knowledge of CPR.
Four layers of protection to help prevent downing
• Supervise
Never take your eyes off children in and around any body of water. There is no substitute for active supervision! Actively supervise children in and around water, giving them your undivided attention. When several adults are present and children are swimming, use the Water Watcher card strategy, which designates an adult as the Water Watcher for a certain amount of time (such as 15-minute periods) to prevent lapses in supervision. If your child is missing, check nearby pools and other water areas first.
• Use Barriers
Fences, self-closing or self-latching gates, and secured doors with alarms can prevent young children from wandering into the pool, canal, lake or pond undetected. Check for broken or missing drain covers. Collier County residents can get free door or window alarms at www.floridadrowningpreventionfoundation.com/resources. These free alarms are possible thanks to a generous donation from the Kiwanis Club of Greater Collier.
• Learn to Swim
To stay safer in the water, all family members should learn to swim well. Teach children NEVER to swim alone; an ADULT MUST watch them in the pool/canal/lake. Young children and inexperienced swimmers need to wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket. NEVER leave a child alone around water. Remember, no one is drown-proof, no matter how well they swim. The American Association of Pediatrics says children can safely take swim lessons as early as age 1. The Coalition has life jackets available at 15 Life Jacket Loaner Stations at public access beaches.
• Know How to Respond
Get training in basic water rescue skills, first aid, and CPR. Make sure rescue equipment and a phone are by the pool.
The Florida Drowning Prevention Foundation offers scholarships for swim lessons to all age groups in the state. Visit floridadrowningpreventionfoundation.com/swim-scholarships.
The Water Smart Collier website has many resources for water safety, including locations for swim lessons and where parents/caregivers can get CPR certified. For more info, visit www.watersmartcollier.com.