Drowning Statistics

Did you know?

According to the AAP, CDC, NDPA, National Safety Council and WHO:

Drowning is the number ONE cause of accidental death in ages 1-4 years old and number three in ages 5-19.

Children (Boys especially) ages 2, 1 and 3 years old (in that order) are the MOST at risk for drowning. Teens ages 15-19 (boys especially) are at the next highest risk level.

For every child that dies of a drowning, there are 5 that have to receive emergency medical treatment for non-fatal drowning incidents that result in mild to severe injuries that can last a lifetime.

Nearly 80% of child drownings are male.

70% of preschoolers who drown do so with both parents present.

80% of young child drownings happen in a home environment (not necessarily their own home). 

African American children ages 5-18 drown at a rate of 5.5 times more often than do Caucasian children.

Texas has the highest drowning rate in the US and Harris county has the highest in Texas.

Participation in formal swimming lessons is associated with an 88% decrease in drowning risk among young children. 

Nearly 80% of children in households with incomes less than $50,000 have little to no swimming ability.

In 2016, children 0-14 totaled 87% of all drownings in Texas. 

A four sided fence around a pool with a self-closing and self-latching gate reduces a child’s risk of drowning by 98%.

The most common type of drowning  for babies under 1-year-old is in a bathtub. For young children, it is in a swimming pool. For teens, it is in natural or open water.

Since legislature around car seats has changed and vehicles have become safer, a swimming pool is now more likely than a motor vehicle to be involved in the death of a child younger than 5 years old.

Drowning is the 3rd leading cause of unintentional death, worldwide. 1 in every 5 people will be affected by a drowning at some point. 

Two-thirds of all childhood drownings happen in children under the age of 5 years old.

69% of children younger than 5 were not expected to be at or in the pool at the time of their drowning. Most were seen just 5 minutes prior to being found in the water.