The number of pool and spa-related drownings decreased by nine percent compared to 2017 but there were still fatalities involving children this summer.

According to data compiled from the USA Swimming Foundation, a Consumer Product and Safety Commission partner, there were 148 children younger than 15 years old who drowned this summer. During the same time period last year, 163 children within the same age range drowned in swimming pools or spas.

Ann Marie Buerkle, acting chairman of the CPSC, said, “Drowning remains the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages one to four.”

“To eliminate the public health crisis of fatal child drownings, we must maintain our commitment to water safety year-round. The risk of drowning doesn’t go away when the neighborhood pool closes.”

Both Florida and Texas had 21 drownings involving young children this summer, followed by California (11), Arizona (7), Tennessee (6), Illinois (6) and New Jersey (5). The number of drownings in Florida decreased this summer compared to last. However, Texas spiked from 14 in 2017 to 21 in 2018.

Pool Safely is a national public education campaign that was launched in 2010 to raise awareness about pool and spa safety. It provides information to parents, caregivers or anyone who will be around young, swimming children on ways they can prevent drownings and death.

Never leave a child unattended in or near water
Teach children how to swim
Teach children to stay away from drains
Ensure all pools and spas – both in your backyard and any public pool you may visit – have compliant drain covers.
Install proper barriers, covers and alarms on and around your pool and spa.
Know how to perform CPR on children and adults.

More information on Pool Safely steps and guidelines can be found here.