Water Safety Facts & Statistics

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Water is one of the most common safety hazards to children. Here are some sobering water safety facts and statistics which highlight the dangers of drowning both inside and outside the home:

Child water safety facts

Water Safety Fact #1:

Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death in children ages 1-14, according to the CDC.

Water safety fact #2:

Young children can (and have) drown in as little as an inch of water.

Water Safety Fact #3:

Nearly all accidental drownings in young children can be attributed to a lack of parental supervision.

Water Safety Fact #4:

African-American children drown at more than 3-times the rate of white children.

Water safety statistics & child drowning statistics:

Statistic #1:

Children four and under account for 80% of home drownings, and have a death rate more than 3-times that of all other age groups.

Statistic #2:

According to a recent study by the University of Memphis, 83% of African-American children have little or no swimming ability, compared with about 48% of white kids. (Both groups could use some improvement on this measure.)

Statistic #3:

More than half of all drownings with children ages 1-4 are pool related. Experts estimate that instillation of pool or hot tub fencing could prevent as much as 90% of pool related drownings.

Statistic #4:

Approximately 115 children under age 5 die each year in drowning accidents inside the home – about a third as many as drown in pools.

Statistic #5:

About two-thirds of in-home drownings occur in the bathtub.

Water Safety printable book
A Fun and entertaining children’s book that teaches kids some basic principles on water safety. Recommended for kids ages 4-10.

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