Drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4 in the United States, and it’s getting worse. After years of declining rates, child drowning deaths have increased since the Covid-19 pandemic, perhaps because of disruptions to swimming lessons and public pool access.

Understanding the Risks

According to a recent American Academy of Pediatrics report, these tragedies are largely preventable when families and communities use multiple layers of protection. Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and clinical associate professor at George Washington University, emphasizes that preventing drowning requires close supervision, swimming skills, barriers around pools, life jackets, and policies that improve water safety.

Many people picture someone yelling for help and splashing wildly when they think about drowning. However, drowning is often surprisingly quiet. A child who is struggling in the water is typically focused on trying to breathe and may not be able to wave their arms or call out for help.

Prevention Measures

Dr. Wen recommends that parents and caregivers take several steps to reduce the risk of drowning. The first is close, constant supervision, especially for toddlers and young children. Every residential pool should be protected by four-sided fencing that completely separates the pool from the house and yard. Additionally, use properly fitted, US Coast Guard-approved life jackets whenever children are boating or swimming in lakes, rivers, or other natural bodies of water.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that most kids should start learning to swim by the time they are 4 years old. Research has shown that formal swimming lessons substantially reduce drowning risk among young children. Swim lessons can teach valuable water safety skills and increase confidence in the water, but they do not eliminate risk.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.