Facts and Statistics

Drowning can occur from many circumstances.

If there is an inch of water and a child, a drowning could happen.

Below you’ll find facts and statistics regarding risk factors surrounding certain bodies of water and child safety. Click on the any of the links below to learn more about each type and their potential dangers. In any of these circumstances, adult supervision is key in preventing water-related accidents.

Bathtubs and Household

Did you know that drownings and near-drownings tend to occur on Saturdays and Sundays and between the months of May and August?

Drowning usually happens very quietly and very quickly. Two minutes following submersion, a child will lose consciousness. Irreversible brain damage occurs after four to six minutes and determines the immediate and long-term survival of a child.

  • 92 percent of household drownings are discovered within two minutes following submersion, and most children who die are found after ten minutes.
  • More than half of drownings among infants (under age 1) occur in bathtubs. Drownings in this age group also occur in toilets and buckets.
  • Children can drown in as little as one inch of water and are therefore also at risk of drowning in wading pools, shallow fountains, bathtubs, buckets, diaper pails, toilets, spas and hot tubs.
  • Since 1984, more than 327 children, 89 percent between the ages of 7 months and 15 months, have drowned in buckets containing water or other liquids used for mopping floors and other household chores. It is estimated that 30 children drown annually in buckets.
  • More than 10 percent of childhood drownings occur in bathtubs; the marjority of these occur in the absence of adult supervision. Since 1983, there have been at least 104 deaths and 162 non-fatal incidents involving baby bath seats.
  • Female children have a bathtub drowning rate twice that of males.
  • The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has developed voluntary guidelines, which include education and labeling, to address the hazard of children drowning in 5-gallon buckets.

    Preventing Bathtub and Household Accidents

  • Never leave a young child in the tub or near water for any reason. There is no substitution for the supervision of an adult.
  • A bath seat or ring cannot protect the baby from drowning. Supervision is needed at all times.
  • If using a bath seat or ring, check the suction cups to make sure they tightly adhere to both the seat or ring and the tub. Never use a bath seat or ring in a non-skid or slip-resistant bathtub.
  • To provide greater traction, equip the tub with a rubber mat or apply non-slip adhesive decals or strips to the bottom of the tub.
  • Keep a bath mat by the side of the tub, so the child has a slip-free exit.
  • Remove any loose items, such as toys, washcloths and sponges from the tub so they do not block the drain and prevent the tub from emptying.
  • Protect kids from heat and electricity, especially around water. Water should be no hotter than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Store electrical appliances away from children.
  • Never leave a child unsupervised in or around water in the house. Empty all containers immediately after use and store out of reach.

Facts and statistics were taken from The American Academy of Pediatrics Policy statement on ‘Drowning in Infants, Children and Adolescents,’ The Center for Disease Control Statistics on Unintentional Drownings, the National “Safe Kids” Campaign and the Parent Resource Center at Texas Children’s Hospital.

Canals

Did you know that drowning fatality rates are higher in Southern and western states than in other regions of the United States? Rural areas have higher death rates than urban or suburban areas, in part due to decreased access to emergency medical care.

Fact taken from National “Safe Kids” Campaign

Acres of orchards, wheat and vegetables conceal more drowning hazards than you may think. Irrigation systems pump, transport and store large amounts of water to irrigate crops. Children who live in agricultural areas or work on farms are also at especially high risk of drowning If water hazards are present. Canals pose as a HUGE drowning hazard in Fresno County. If you must be near them, be aware of the following conditions that could prove hazardous.

  • Canals contain water that is quickly moving. Fast-moving water in a narrow channel can knock a person off their feet. Even water that is only a foot deep, if it is moving fast enough, would cause you to lose your balance and be carried away.
  • Debris (trash and garbage) and dangerous things can be found in canals.
  • Dry canals are not safe because there is no way to know when water may be released and you may be trapped by a surge of water.
  • Canals can have deep water. If you cannot swim or if you are hurt, falling into deep water could prove fatal. In addition to swift currents, irrigation canals may have undertows and turbulence that could drag even a strong swimmer under water.
  • Ladder rungs on the side of canals are used by workers when cleaning and repairing canals. Ladders are not there to encourage swimming.
  • Canals have steep slopes and slippery walls. The concrete or earthen sides of ditches and canals are sometimes steep and possibly slippery, making them difficult to climb out.
  • Canals have grates, culverts, spillways and in-water energy dissipation devices. If a person were to fall into a water-filled ditch or canal, additional hazards include becoming caught up in or striking an object or structure. This may cause someone to become submerged and/or lose consciousness.
  • Muddy or murky water makes it hard to see a person.
  • The water’s helical motion makes it difficult to swim to safety.
  • Canal temperature is about 55 degrees and can cause hypothermia.
  • Hypothermia is a condition which causes a person’s body temperature to abnormally drop, causing stiffness, so that a person cannot move or swim to safety.
  • Even though canal water may look calm and slow-running, its undercurrent may be very fast.

Preventing Canal-related Accidents

  • There is no substitute for the supervision of a responsible adult.
  • If there is a canal near by, be sure there are barriers or fences between your family and the canal.
  • Always keep children in your direct line-of-sight – always.

Facts and statistics were taken from the Department of Labor and Industries.

 

It is estimated that 85 percent of boating-related drownings could have been prevented if the victim had been wearing a personal flotation device.

  • In 2003, 21 children, ages 14 and under drowned in reported recreational boating accidents.
  • In 2003, 62 percent of children ages 14 and under, who drowned in reported recreational boating accidents, were not wearing personal flotation devices or life jackets.
  • In 2003, 200 children ages 14 and under sustained injuries in reported recreational boating accidents involving personal watercraft.
  • Forty-four states have enacted boating safety laws requiring children to wear personal flotation devices at all times when on boats or near open bodies of water. These laws vary in age requirements, exemptions and enforcement of procedures. Recreational boats must carry one properly sized, U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device, accessible and in good condition, for each person on board.
  • Approximately half of all boating deaths occur on Saturdays and Sundays between the months of May and August.

Preventing Lake-related Accidents

  • There is no substitute for the supervision of a responsible adult.
  • Always keep children in your direct line-of-sight – always.
  • Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device when on a boat, near open bodies of water or when participating in water sports. Air-filled swimming aids, such as “water wings” are not considered safety devices and are not substitutes for personal flotation devices.
  • It is currently against the law for children ages 16 and under to operate a personal watercraft.
  • Never enter a lake if you see “Caution” or “Prohibited” signs.
  • Make sure that you are in a “Designated Swimming Area” before entering the water.
  • Plunging headfirst into the water is dangerous, even deadly because it’s often hard to determine how deep the water is and there are hidden dangers underwater, such as trees and rocks.

Facts and statistics were taken from The American Academy of Pediatrics Policy statement on ‘Drowning in Infants, Children and Adolescents,’ The Center for Disease Control Statistics on Unintentional Drownings and the National “Safe Kids” Worldwide program.

 Ponding Basins

Ponding basins are located throughout the community. They hold stormwater during the rain season, hold river water during the summer to help replenish the groundwater supply, and some are even used as parks. No matter the season, PONDING BASINS ARE NOT FOR SWIMMING. Here are some facts related to ponding basins:

  • The primary job of ponding basins is the capture of stormwater to prevent flooding. A secondary job is storage of water for percolation down through the soil to replenish our groundwater supply (our main source of drinking water). Some basins are used for recreation during the dry season.

· Basin side slopes are steep so they’re hard to climb up, particularly when they are wet, and the water is murky which makes it hard to see what is on the bottom of the basin.

· Water flows to ponding basins through gutters.

· Basin parks are open for play during the dry season. During the rain season (usually October-April) they are locked because they are used to hold stormwater.

· Basin parks should only be entered when the gates are open, signaling that they are safe for public use. If the lock is cut, do not enter the basin and call the District at 456-3292 to let them know the basin is open.

 

Preventing Ponding Basin-related Accidents

  • There is no substitute for supervision by a responsible adult.

  • Always keep children in your direct line of sight – always.

  • Ponding basins, even those that function as parks in the dry season, are NEVER FOR SWIMMING.

  • Fishing or boating in ponding basins is never allowed.

Facts and statistics were taken from The American Academy of Pediatrics Policy statement on ‘Drowning in Infants, Children and Adolescents,’ The Center for Disease Control Statistics on Unintentional Drownings and the National “Safe Kids” Worldwide program.

Pools and Spas

Among children ages 4 and under, there are approximately 300 residential swimming pool drownings each year. More than half of these drownings occur in the child’s home pool, and one-third occur at the homes of friends, neighbors or relatives.

  • Most children who drown in swimming pools were last seen napping in the home and had been missing from sight for less than five minutes – usually in the care of one or both parents at the time of the drowning.
  • Since 1980, more than 230 children, ages 4 and under drowned in spas or hot tubs.
  • African-American males ages 5 to 9 have a swimming pool-related drowning rate four and half times that of their Caucasian counterparts. African-American males ages 10 to 14 have a swimming pool-related drowning rate 15 times that of their Caucasian counterpart.
  • Installation of four-sided isolation fencing could prevent 50 to 90 percent of childhood residential swimming pool drownings and near drownings. Door alarms, pool alarms and automatic pool covers, when used correctly, can add an extra level of protection.
  • Children ages 4 and under have the highest drowning death rate (two of three times greater than other age groups) and account for 80 percent of home drownings. These drownings typically occur in swimming pools and bathtubs.
  • More than half of drownings among children ages 1 to 4 are pool-related. Children ages 5 to 14 most often drown in open water sites.
  • Four states (Arizona, California, Florida and Oregon) and many communities have enacted safety laws requiring some type of fencing around residential pools.

Preventing Swimming Pool and Spa-related Accidents

  • There is no substitute for the supervision of a responsible adult.
  • Always keep children visible from your location – always.
  • Never leave a child unsupervised in or around a swimming pool or spa, even for a moment. Never rely on a personal flotation device (such as ‘water wings’) or swimming lessons to protect a child. Learn CPR and keep rescue equipment, a telephone and emergency numbers poolside.
  • Install four-sided isolation fencing, at least five feet high and equipped with self-closing and self-latching gates, around a home pool or spa. Fencing should completely surround swimming pools or spas and prevent direct access from a house or yard. Never prop open the gate to pool barrier or leave toys in and around the pool.
  • Never roughhouse or run near the pool.
  • Life preservers or ‘throw rings’ should be readily available in case of an emergency.
  • A life preserver is a device that is used to keep a person floating in the water.
  • A shepherd’s hook can also be used to pull a person to the side of the pool should an accident arise.
  • Float tubes, ‘water wings’ and ‘noodles’ are not considered personal flotation devices and should not be used as such.
  • Spas should be fenced or covered when not in use.
  • Spas are not wading pools or play areas. Spas are used by adults for relaxing or soothing sore muscles.
  • Spa water temperature can be high enough to burn or scald a child’s skin.

Facts and statistics were taken from The American Academy of Pediatrics Policy statement on ‘Drowning in Infants, Children and Adolescents,’ The Center for Disease Control Statistics on Unintentional Drownings and the National “Safe Kids” Worldwide program.

Rivers

It is estimated that 85 percent of boating-related drownings could have been prevented if the victim had been wearing a personal flotation device. Rivers pose a threat because people can be easily pulled under water by the swift water currents.

  • A current is created when a body of water is moving along a natural course – these can be very fast or swift.
  • An undertow is a strong current just below the surface that usually moves in a direction different than the surface water. These can usually pull a person away from the shore or safe swimming area.
  • In 2003, 21 children, ages 14 an under drowned in reported recreational boating accidents.
  • In 2003, 62 percent of children ages 14 and under, who drowned in reported recreational boating accidents were not wearing personal flotation devices or life jackets.
  • In 2003, 200 children ages 14 and under sustained injuries in reported recreational boating accidents involving personal watercraft.
  • A person can get pinned or held in one position by the force of the water’s current.
  • Forty-four states have enacted boating safety laws requiring children to wear personal flotation devices at all times when on boats or near open bodies of water. These laws vary in age requirements, exemptions and enforcement of procedures. Recreational boats must carry one properly sized, U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device, accessible and in good condition, for each person on board.
  • Approximately, half of all boating deaths occur on Saturdays and Sundays between the months of May and August.

Preventing River-related Accidents

  • There is no substitute for the supervision of a responsible adult.
  • Always keep children in your direct line-of-sight – always.
  • Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device when on a boat, near open bodies of water or when participating in water sports. Air-filled swimming aids, such as “water wings” are not considered safety devices and are not substitutes for personal flotation devices.
  • Children ages 14 and under should never operate a personal watercraft.
  • Never enter a river if you see “Caution” or “Prohibited” signs.
  • Make sure that you are in a “Designated Swimming Area” before entering the water.
  • Plunging headfirst into the water is dangerous, even deadly because it’s often hard to determine how deep the water is and there are hidden dangers underwater, such as trees and rocks.
  • Attempts to swim from one side of the river to the other can be dangerous, as the distance turns out to be further than originally thought.

Facts and statistics were taken from The American Academy of Pediatrics Policy statement on ‘Drowning in Infants, Children and Adolescents,’ The Center for Disease Control Statistics on Unintentional Drownings and the National “Safe Kids” Worldwide program.

Fresno County Statistics

  • Drowning is the leading cause of preventable death for children ages 1 to 5 and the second leading cause of death in adolescents and adults ages 15 to 44.
  • In Fresno County, 20 to 30 people drown each year. Statistics show 10 of these victims are children between the ages of 1 and 18, and 20% of them will drown in family swimming pools and spas.
  • 30 to 40 children in the county are hospitalized because of near drowning; 3 to 4 of these children will suffer severe brain injuries.
  • An estimated 1 in every 3 Fresno homes has a swimming pool, and 1 out of 4 of these families report “close calls” where a child may have drowned or been seriously injured if he/she had not been rescued.