Child Drowning Deaths Are Rising. Experts Explain Why.

Child drowning deaths have been ticking up since the COVID-19 pandemic, leading public health experts to sound the warning bell. Here is what you need to know about the risk of drowning and what the experts say about reducing this danger.

Drowning Deaths Surging Since Pandemic

Drowning is the number one cause of death in children ages 1 to 4 in the U.S. After several years of declining rates, the number of deaths has been increasing again. Public health experts believe that the disruptions to public pool access and youth swimming lessons in the years after the pandemic may be to blame for the sudden increase in fatalities.

Among children ages 5 to 14, drowning is the second leading cause of death, coming in behind motor vehicle crashes. In 2024, 1,075 children and teens younger than age 20 died from unintentional drowning. This statistic includes accidents related to watercraft. A good majority of these deaths were preventable.

A recent report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reviewed the most recent scientific evidence on drowning prevention to offer better guidance. The report's authors looked at decades of research to determine what interventions have the best track record of translating to saved lives. The authors then offered updated recommendations for parents, healthcare providers, and policymakers.

One of the key messages of the report is that the prevention of drowning requires several layers of protection. Good strategies include close adult supervision, developing swimming skills, and creating barriers around pools to mitigate the risk. The more layers of protection, the lower the risk that a tragic drowning occurs.

While most people have a vision of someone struggling in the water and throwing their arms around and screaming for help, the truth is that drowning is typically very quiet. A young child struggling to stay afloat is usually focused on breathing, leaving them helpless to call for assistance.

Drowning Statistics Are Not Uniform

Statistics show that young children are most likely to drown in swimming pools. Conversely, teenagers are more likely to drown in lakes, rivers, or the ocean. Teens are also more likely to want to swim alone and take risks, compounding the danger of the water. It is imperative to never swim after consuming alcohol or using marijuana or other drugs that may impact alertness.

When looking at the demographic of people under 30 years old, drowning rates are noticeably higher among American Indian and Alaska Native people, followed by Black individuals. According to the AAP, Black children between the ages of 5 and 19 were 5.5 times more likely to drown in swimming pools compared with their White counterparts.

The report notes that this difference is due to the historical and structural influences that reduce access to public pools and swimming lessons for Black children. This is why there has been such a push in recent years to give all American children equal access to swimming pools and affordable swim instruction.

Tips to Reduce the Risk of Drowning

The quiet nature of drowning is why experts emphasize that the best line of prevention is undistracted supervision. Swimming in a pool or at a beach with a lifeguard is ideal, as these trained professionals are equipped to recognize the hidden signs of distress. 

However, caregivers should not rely on lifeguards alone. This is particularly true for young children who are not strong swimmers. A trusted adult should always be within arm's reach of a child.

One proven strategy is to designate an adult as the "watcher" when young children are either in or playing near water. This adult's only responsibility should be to watch the children. Trading off this duty when in a large group is a good way to ensure that somebody is always keeping a close watch on inexperienced swimmers. Do not assume that somebody else is watching the child. Instead, be clear about who is responsible so that this duty does not fall through the cracks.

Residential pools are one of the most common drowning hazards. You can mitigate this risk by installing a fence around the pool, separating it from the house and the yard. The fence should include a self-latching gate that kids cannot reach. Researchers note that this is one of the most effective ways to prevent drowning accidents.

It is also important to use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets that fit properly when children are boating or swimming in natural bodies of water such as lakes and rivers. Natural bodies of water are significantly more unpredictable than a swimming pool, making life jackets a necessity. This is true even for experienced swimmers and adults.

When it comes to swim lessons, the AAP recommends that most kids begin to learn this skill by the time that they turn four. However, it is also prudent to begin swim lessons at an even younger age.

The research is clear that swimming lessons can drastically reduce the risk of drowning among young children. That said, swim lessons are not a full substitute for adult supervision and other layers of security.

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