How To Prevent Your Toddler From Drowning

Drowning is a silent killer. It often happens when you least expect it, and the results are tragic.

This blog post will discuss key steps that every parent can take to prevent their child from drowning. We will also provide tips for what to do if your toddler does drown.

Please share this information with your friends and family so that everyone can stay safe around water!

How Many Toddlers Drown In The US Per Year?

Accidental drowning is the #1 killer of toddlers. In the US, approximately 950 children drown each year. That’s more than two kids every day.

Compared with the rest of the world, the US has the second-highest rate of drownings among children ages one to four. This is probably due to the fact that many young US children live near water and have easy access to it.

Children under five years are most likely to drown in private pools, rural dams and bathtubs.

What Age Toddlers Are Most At Risk From Drowning?

Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death for toddlers ages one to four. Moreover, it is the second-leading cause of injury-related death for children under 14 years old.

Boys are more likely to drown than girls. In fact, boys drown at a rate almost four times that of girls.

There are several risk factors that increase a child’s likelihood of drowning. These include:

• Being male
• Being under five years old
• Having a seizure disorder
• Being black or Hispanic
• Having a developmental delay
• Not knowing how to swim

(Related: Best Life Jackets For Toddlers).

Does Near-Drowning Cause Ongoing Health Problems?

For every toddler who drowns, another five receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries.

Nonfatal drowning injuries can cause severe brain damage, leading to a lifetime of disabilities. These disabilities include physical, cognitive, and social impairments and occur in 7% of all drowning cases.

For example, a child who survives a near-drowning incident may have permanent brain damage that leads to a vegetative state. Parents of children who nearly drowned report PTSD symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

(Related: Best Life Jackets For Infants).

How To Ensure Child Safety Around Swimming Pools?

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most drownings occur in backyard pools.

To reduce the risk of drowning, install a self-latching gate around the pool. This will ensure that young toddlers cannot get into the pool area without an adult.

In addition to a self-latching gate, you should also have a backyard pool fence. The pool fence should be at least four feet tall and completely surround the pool. If the fence is faulty, replace it immediately.

Keep essential rescue equipment items by the pool. These include a life jacket or a personal flotation device (more on these later), a shepherd’s hook, and a phone.

Never:

• Prop pool gates open
• Leave furniture or toys near the pool fence (kids love to climb).

The Haddon Matrix, created by the American Academy of Pediatrics, provides a very comprehensive set of drowning prevention strategies. Designed for commercial and public swimming pools, it can be used to inform your actions in a recreational and/or domestic environment.

Timeline	Personal	Equipment	Physical Environment	Social Environment
Before the event	Provide close, constant, and attentive supervision of children and poor swimmers	Install 4-sided fencing that isolates the pool from the house and yard	Swim where lifeguards are present	Mandate 4-sided residential pool fencing
Before the event	Clear handoff supervision responsibilities	Install self-closing and latching gates	Attend to warning signage	Mandate life jacket wear
Before the event	Develop water competency, including water-safety knowledge, basic swim skills, and ability to recognize and respond to a swimmer in trouble	Wear life jackets	Swim at designated swim sites	Adopt the Model Aquatic Health Code
Before the event	Evaluate preexisting health condition	Install compliant pool drains	Remove toys from pools when not in use to reduce temptation for children to enter the pool	Increase availability of lifeguards
Before the event	Know how to choose and fit a life jacket	Install door locks	Empty water buckets and wading pools	Increase access to affordable and culturally compatible swim lessons
Before the event	Avoid substance use	Enclosures for open bodies of water		Close high-risk waters during high-risk times
Before the event	Know the water’s hazards, conditions	Promote life jacket–loaner programs		Develop designated open-water swim sites
Before the event	Swim at a designated swim site	Role model life jacket use by adults		Enforce boating under the influence laws
Before the event	Learn CPR	Make rescue devices available at swim sites
Before the event	Take a boater education course	Phone access to call for help
Before the event		Ensure functional watercraft
Event	Water-survival skills	Rescue device available		EMS system
After the event	Early bystander CPR	AED		Advanced medical care
After the event	Bystander response	Rescue equipment

What Are The Signs That Your Toddler Is Drowning?

The number one sign that your child is drowning is that they cannot call for help. They will also likely extend their arms out to the side and try to paddle their legs.

If you see these signs, acting quickly and pulling your toddler out of the water is essential.

If you are ever in doubt about whether or not your child is drowning, err on the side of caution and call for help.

Remember that real-life drowning does not look like it does in the movies. There’s typically minimal splashing or screaming.

(Related: Best Life Jackets For Kids).

How Quickly Do Toddlers Drown?

It can take as little as 20 seconds for a child to drown. One- and two-year-old toddlers are particularly at risk because they lack the coordination and strength to swim.

(Related: How Old Do Kids Have To Be To Kayak Alone?)

What Is The Correct Way Of Designating A Responsible Adult?

Ironically, many drownings occur with plenty of adults around – because everybody assumes somebody else is watching the kids.

You must ensure that the swimming area is under close and constant supervision by a designated responsible adult. It means the children must always be in the designated person’s line of sight.

This designated adult should not be distracted by things like phone calls, conversations, or other children. They should always pay attention to the water and the swimmers.

As the title suggests, the person supervising children should be an adult at least 18 years of age.

If you are the designated water watcher, take breaks every 15 minutes. This will help to ensure that you are not too tired and can still pay attention to the swimmers.

When taking a break, be sure to designate another responsible adult to take your place. Proper supervision means giving ALL of your attention, ALL of the time.

(Related: 10 Best Baby Floats).

What To Do If Your Child Has Drowned?

First, scream for someone to call 911.

Next, act quickly to get the child out of the water immediately.

Turn their head to the side so that any vomit or fluid can drain out of their mouth. If the child isn’t breathing, start CPR (see next point) and continue until they begin to breathe on their own again.

Stay within arm’s reach of your child until help arrives.

(Related: Best Floaties For Toddlers).

Why Is Your Child Afraid Of Water?

A fear of water is common in small toddlers and is usually nothing to worry about.

It’s often a phase they’ll grow out of as they age and become more comfortable around water.

Make sure you don’t use your kid’s fear of water as an excuse not to teach them not to swim, as this will significantly increase their chances of drowning.

There are some things you can do to help your child overcome their fear:

• Start with small steps – let them gradually get used to the idea of being in the water.
• Encourage them to splash around and have fun.
• Ensure they always have a floatation device when they’re in the water.
• Never force them to do anything they’re not comfortable with.

If their fear persists, it might be worth discussing it with a professional.

Where Can I Learn CPR?

CPR saves lives. You must know how to perform CPR in case of an emergency. You can find CPR classes at your local hospital or Red Cross chapter.

Here are a few quick tips for performing CPR:

• If the child is unresponsive, call 911 and then begin chest compressions.
• Push hard and fast in the center of the chest at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.
• Use both hands and press down at least two inches.

Do Swim Lessons Prevent Toddler Drownings?

You must teach children how to swim. The earlier, the better, but no earlier than age 1. Your child should have strong swimming skills by age four.

Make sure to enrol your child in swimming lessons taught by a certified instructor.

Your child should take lessons yearly to refresh their skills and stay safe in the water.

What Equipment Is Effective At Preventing Drownings?

Life jackets are one of the most useful rescue equipment for preventing drowning. Ensure a life jacket or personal flotation device for every child when you are near open water.

It is also essential to make sure that the life jacket fits properly.

(Related: 7 Best Places To Buy A Life Jacket For Your Kid).

A pool alarm is another safety piece of equipment that can assist you in preventing a drowning death in your family. Located out of children’s reach, the alarm will emit a loud tone when someone enters the water. This may give you precious seconds to reach your kid and save them from drowning by giving you time to react.

Water wings are not effective at preventing drownings! Don’t rely on them.

Above all, remember that the presence of flotation devices or warning alarms must not take the place of active supervision.

What Are The Peak Drowning Times?

Most kids drown during the summer months, between June and August. The peak time for drownings is between 12 p.m. and six p.m.

Which Water Rules Does Your Toddler Need To Learn?

Teach your toddler the following 4 water safety rules:

1. Reach or throw, don’t go. This rule applies when someone else is in trouble in the water and you need to help them.
2. If you see something, say something. If you see somebody in trouble, tell a grown-up right away.
3. Stop, look, and listen. Before going near the water, stop and look to see if it is safe. Listen for any unusual sounds.
4. Be a buddy, not a bully. Never push or grab somebody in the water. Be nice to others in and around the water.

What Is The Main Cause Of Drowning When Boating?

Operator inattention is the leading cause of boating accidents. Alcohol use is the second-leading cause of fatal boating accidents and can contribute to the first-leading cause.

Other causes include improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed, and machinery failure. Weather conditions such as high winds, waves, or lightning can also contribute to accidents.

Unfortunately, children are often over-represented in boating-related drownings.

(Related: Are You Allowed To Bring Infants On A Boat?)

Most of these accidents are preventable if boaters follow some simple safety rules:

• Wear a life jacket at all times.
• Never drink and boat.
• Take a boating safety course.
• Be aware of the weather conditions.
• Have a float plan and make sure someone on shore knows your plan.
• Check the boat’s safety equipment and make sure it is in working order.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Follow the speed limit.
• Do not overload the boat.

Do Medications Increase The Risk Of Drowning?

Some medications can increase the risk of drowning. These include alcohol, sedatives, and anti-seizure medication.

If you are on medication that increases your risk of drowning, don’t swim alone or swim only in areas where there is a lifeguard on duty.

What Unexpected Hazards Do You Need To Be Aware Of?

• Toilet bowls. Keep the toilet cover down and keep the bathroom door closed.
• Buckets. Never leave a bucket of water unattended, even for a second. Always empty buckets after use.
• Bathtubs and hot tubs. Don’t leave children alone in the tub, not even for a minute. Immediately drain the tub after bath time is over.
• Fountains. Keep children away from fountains. If you have a fountain at home, make sure it is located in an inaccessible area to young children.

Final Water Safety Tips For Toddlers.

By following these drowning prevention tips, you can help keep your child safe from this silent killer.

Remember to never leave a child unsupervised around any body of water, big or small, and make sure they know how to swim and float.

Teach them about pool safety rules and what to do if they find themselves in trouble in the water.

We can all work together with vigilance and education to keep our children safe from drowning.

Let’s protect children by following most important water safety tips:

• Never leave your child unattended around water, not even for a second.
• If you are at the beach, stay in shallow water where you can still touch the ground.
• Swim lessons save children’s lives.
• Always wear life jackets when on a boat or near open water (see below)
• Avoid drinking alcohol when around water.

We can all work together with vigilance and education to keep our children safe from drowning.

Tamara