Florida’s drowning death rate among children under age five is the highest in the nation.

In Florida, drowning occurs year-round, but the highest number drownings occur in the spring and summer. Florida loses more children under age five to drowning than any other state. In 2023, 97 children died from drowning in Florida. The majority of drowning deaths occur in residential swimming pools, but drowning can occur in any body of water outside the home or even in small amounts of sitting water in everyday household items. Water safety awareness and strategies are essential to prevent drowning injuries and death. Child-friendly lessons and activities are offered by the Red Cross and First 1,000 Days Suncoast for children three and under. Teach water safety and swimming skills early!

Common household items are involved in many deaths of children under age 5.

• Infants and toddlers can fall headfirst into 5-gallon buckets that have very little water in them and drown. The same scenario applies to toilets and even pet bowls.
• Toddlers can get under covered spas or hot tubs and go unnoticed.
• Other household items such as coolers, fish tanks, ponds, or anything else that holds one inch or more of water – are drowning hazards for infants and toddlers.
• Bath rings or seats have been involved in drowning and do not guarantee child safety. Children can drown quickly and silently.

How can we prevent drowning?

• Any time a child aged 5 or under is in the bathtub – maintain constant supervision. Even one minute left alone could result in drowning. Ensure the toilet seat is down. Keep the bathroom door shut and put a safety latch on it to ensure the toddler does not get inside the bathroom without supervision.
• Never leave containers with water in them around the yard or house. Empty mop buckets, blow up pools, and other water vessels immediately after use. Turn the items upside down once emptied to ensure water cannot get back in them if it rains.
• Secure safety covers on your spa or hot tub; and put security fencing or alarms around pools.

Water Safety Tips

• Maintain constant visual contact with children around pools or any other bodies of water.
• Designate a water watcher during social gatherings and never assume someone else is watching.
• Clothe children and babies in bright-colored swimsuits.
• Equip children with skills for swimming in both pools and open water and to understand the differences.
• Utilize US Coast Guard approved life jackets for boating and other water activities.
• Always provide information to babysitters about water safety and need for undivided attention.
• Equip doors and windows with alarms.
• Enter water feet first.
• Beware of pool drains.
• Avoid running near pool.
• Secure hot tubs and spas and remove ladders when not in use.
• Teach water safety rules.
• Install four-sided isolation fencing, at least five feet high, equipped with self-closing and self-latching gates, that completely surrounds the pool and prevents direct access from the house and yard.
• Do not leave chairs or other items of furniture where a child could use them to climb into a fenced pool area.
• Never allow a young child in a pool without an adult, and do not prop gates to pool areas.
• Use the buddy system even with strong swimmers.
• Do not leave toys around that can attract children to pools.
• Do not rely on swimming lessons, life preservers, or other equipment to make a child “water safe.”
• Program phones with emergency numbers and keep poolside.
• Keep rescue and first aid equipment poolside.
• Post CPR instructions and learn the basic water rescue skills. If CPR is needed, tell someone to call 911 and begin compressions, to maintain oxygen levels circulating in the body. Do not wait for paramedics.

Remember: Child drowning is a silent death. There is no splashing to alert anyone that the child is in trouble. There is no substitute for supervision.

RESOURCES:

First 1,000 Days Suncoast offers free swimming lessons in Sarasota, Manatee, Desoto for children under 3 years old

Safe Kids

FloridaHealth.gov

Red Cross Water Safety

National Water Safety Month

SplashZone coloring book teaches water safety in a fun way

Longfellow’s WHALE Tales Program – short educational videos teach children water safety in a fun way