Drowning is a leading cause of death in childhood, especially for children 1 to 4 years of age. Drowning risks and prevention measures change as children grow, but at all ages, multiple layers of prevention are needed. Key prevention measures include 4-sided fencing of all residential pools, close supervision of young children whenever they are in or near water, and swim lessons once children are ready to learn to swim.
AAP Recommendations
The AAP provides recommendations for counseling families about prevention of drowning at all ages and developmental stages in childhood.
Professional Tools and Resources
Drowning Prevention Campaign & Toolkit
Drowning is the single-leading cause of death among children aged 1-4, and a top cause of death among teens. Pediatrician can help lower these rates by sharing valuable resources with parents and caregivers.
Resources for Families
Risk factors for drowning change as children grow and develop. Find resources to help you provide effective anticipatory guidance for families with kids of all ages.
Resources for Communities
Water Safety USA
Water Safety USA is a roundtable of longstanding national nonprofit and governmental organizations with a strong record of providing drowning prevention and water safety programs, including public education.
Podcasts and Voices Blogs
Learn what others are saying. Listen to our podcasts and read our blog posts.
Drowning Prevention - Episode 2
In the first full episode, hosts Joanna Parga-Belinkie, MD, FAAP and David Hill, MD, FAAP share why they became pediatricians and introduce listeners to the new podcast from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Guest interviews address two of the biggest issues facing children’s health today: drowning and vaccine hesitancy.
Pediatrics on Call
|June 25, 2020
Drowning Prevention Guidance - Episode 71
In this episode Sarah Denny, MD, FAAP, lead author of the AAP’s Prevention of Drowning Policy Statement, offers updated guidance from the latest technical report.
Pediatrics on Call
|July 27, 2021
Addressing Cultural and Religious Barriers to Water Safety
This AAP Voice blog post explains drowning prevention as part of anticipatory safety guidance.
Voices Blog
|July 12, 2019
Counseling Families About Water Saftey A Matter of Practice Quality
A Georgia pediatrician's haunting memories of drowning patients she treated, leads her to view drowning prevention as a key element of a patient-centered medical home.
Voices Blog
|May 21, 2019
Last Updated
06/15/2021
Source
American Academy of Pediatrics