Resources

1. Drowning remains a leading cause of unintentional injury death in children and in 2014, almost 800 children lost their lives to drowning.
2. The greatest number and highest rate of drowning occur among those under the age of 5. In fact, children in that age group die at more than three times the rate of those ages 5‐17.
3. Boys are more likely to drown than girls, accounting for 72 percent of deaths, and although greater numbers of Caucasian children drown each year, African American children drown at higher rates.
4. Almost two‐thirds of fatal drownings in children under age 18 occur between May and August.
5. Despite this, in 2014 drowning was the leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 1 to 4, the second leading cause for those ages 5‐14, and the third leading cause for infants under 1 year and teens ages 15 to 17.3.
6. The 784 fatal drownings that occurred in those under age 18 in 2014 translate into two fatal drownings each day, with nearly two‐thirds occurring between the months of May and August.
7. Further, it is estimated that for every death another five children visit an emergency department because of a non‐fatal drowning.
8. Between 2005 and 2014, the yearly average number of drownings varied from 94 per year in Texas to one per year in Vermont and North Dakota.
9. The states with the highest number of drownings in 2014 were Florida, Texas, California and Georgia.
10. Drowning can be quick and quiet when it occurs.
11. It can happen in seconds and often, children who drown are out of sight or missing for less than five minutes.
12. Irreversible brain damage may occur within a mere five minutes, and most children who die are submerged for only six to 10 minutes.
13. The longer a child is submerged under the water, the more likely they are to suffer poor outcomes.
14. Unlike the scenes played out in movies, drowning children may not scream, wave their arms, or call for help. Instead, they slip silently under the water, in some cases even as caregivers and lifeguards look on.
15. Almost half of 10‐17 year olds who drown could reportedly swim.

*Source: SafeKids.org

“Texas has been reported as the deadliest state in the United States and ranked in the top 3 among all states for child pool and spa drownings, both of the last two years.”

*Source: KRIS TV, San Antonio, 5/25/17

Purchase this drowning prevention sign (pictured below) for your private, neighborhood, school, or organization’s pool! Signs can be customized with a unique logo in the lower right corner. Remind your pool users how to be effective water watchers & save lives! Contact Alexandra Houton with Cook Childrens for details.

Drowning Infographic_ENGLISH_18x24_crowley

• Lifeguard Your Child – Cook Children’s
• Stop Drowning Now – Water Safety Curriculum for Schools
• Texas Dept. of Parks & Wildlife – Fishing & Boating Safety
• Apartment Association of Tarrant County
• Infant Swimming Resource