Fresno County and San Joaqion Valley Drowning Statistics
The slides Below includes 4 different graphics of data collected and analyzed from hospitalizations at Valley children’s hospital from 1999 through 2012.
“Drowning is the leading cause of preventable death for children ages 1 to 5”
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 and many parts of the San Joaquin Valley.
In Fresno County, 20 to 30 children and adults die from water-related injuries. Statistics show on average of 4-6 of these victims are children between the ages of 1 and 18, and 73% of them drown in family swimming pools and spas.
30 to 40 children in Fresno county were hospitalized at Valley Children’s in the 1980’s and 1990’s because of non-fatal drownings. The trends show reduced injuries since 1999. The Council believes the reduction in drowning have been because of improved safety awareness, CPR, and barrier use. In 2020 around the USA drowning rates have risen, but Fresno county results show a reduced number from prior years.
An estimated 1 in every 3 Fresno homes has a swimming pool or spa, and 1 out of 4 of these families report close calls where a child may have drowned or been seriously injured if he or she had not been rescued according to Dr. Mark M. Simonian, MD FAAP who has surveyed families from local pediatric practices.
Drowning deaths 2005-2020 Slides Click Below
Drowning Deaths 2005-2020
Fresno County Sheriff’s Data on Drowning Deaths 2016-2023
San Joaquin Valley Counties Drowning Statistics
Links below provide addition perspectives on drowning injuries to the adjoining counties in the San Joaquin Valley.