• Be Aware
    • Hazards
      • Earthquake
      • Extreme Cold
      • Extreme Heat
      • Household Fire Dangers
      • Flooding
        • Turn Around – Don’t Drown
      • Hazardous Spills
      • High Winds
      • Ice Storm
      • Lightning
      • Power Outages
        • Generator Safety
        • Carbon Monoxide Dangers
      • Severe Storms & Thunderstorms
      • Tornado
    • Radio Lexington
    • Get Involved
      • CERT
    • CSEPP
      • History of CSEPP
      • CSEPP in Kentucky
      • Blue Grass Army Depot
      • Chemical Agent Disposal
      • CSEPP in Fayette County
      • Zones
    • Get the BeReady Phone App
    • NOAA Weather Radio
    • Outdoor Warning Sirens
      • Siren FAQ
    • How to Be Prepared for Emergencies – American Sign Language
  • Make a Plan
    • Planning for AFN/Disability Groups
    • Equine Preparedness Plans
    • Farm Preparedness
    • Pet Preparedness Plans
    • Senior Preparedness Plans
    • Hazard Mitigation Plan
    • Shelter in Place Plans
    • Special Events-How to get a permit
    • Travel Plans
    • Utility Shutoff Plans
    • Ready Kat
  • Build a Kit
    • Your financial emergency kit
    • Vehicle Emergency Kits
    • Emergency Kits
    • Home Emergency Kits
    • Pet Emergency Kits
  • About Us
    • What We Do
    • Who We Are
    • Forms
    • Newsletters
    • Emergency Operations Center
    • Contact Us
    • Training
    • Library
  • en English
    en Englishes Spanishar Arabicfr Frenchhi Hindija Japanesekm Khmerko Koreanne Nepalipt Portugueseru Russiansw Swahili
en English
en Englishes Spanishar Arabicfr Frenchhi Hindija Japanesekm Khmerko Koreanne Nepalipt Portugueseru Russiansw Swahili
Be Ready Lexington
  • Be Aware
    • Hazards
      • Earthquake
      • Extreme Cold
      • Extreme Heat
      • Household Fire Dangers
      • Flooding
        • Turn Around – Don’t Drown
      • Hazardous Spills
      • High Winds
      • Ice Storm
      • Lightning
      • Power Outages
        • Generator Safety
        • Carbon Monoxide Dangers
      • Severe Storms & Thunderstorms
      • Tornado
    • Radio Lexington
    • Get Involved
      • CERT
    • CSEPP
      • History of CSEPP
      • CSEPP in Kentucky
      • Blue Grass Army Depot
      • Chemical Agent Disposal
      • CSEPP in Fayette County
      • Zones
    • Get the BeReady Phone App
    • NOAA Weather Radio
    • Outdoor Warning Sirens
      • Siren FAQ
    • How to Be Prepared for Emergencies – American Sign Language
  • Make a Plan
    • Planning for AFN/Disability Groups
    • Equine Preparedness Plans
    • Farm Preparedness
    • Pet Preparedness Plans
    • Senior Preparedness Plans
    • Hazard Mitigation Plan
    • Shelter in Place Plans
    • Special Events-How to get a permit
    • Travel Plans
    • Utility Shutoff Plans
    • Ready Kat
  • Build a Kit
    • Your financial emergency kit
    • Vehicle Emergency Kits
    • Emergency Kits
    • Home Emergency Kits
    • Pet Emergency Kits
  • About Us
    • What We Do
    • Who We Are
    • Forms
    • Newsletters
    • Emergency Operations Center
    • Contact Us
    • Training
    • Library
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • YouTube

  • RSS

Information

Child Drownings Are On the Rise

Child Drownings Are On the Rise
DEM Blogger
June 13, 2019

Data identified June as the month with the highest fatality incident rate related to drowning and that residential locations made up 72 percent of reported fatal drowning incidents.

A new report released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) highlights the need for continued vigilance in combating drowning, which continues to be a public health crisis and remains the leading cause of unintentional death among children 1–4.

“Our data shows us who is drowning and when and where these fatal drownings are happening – children, in the summer, at residential locations,” said Acting Chairman Buerkle. “This report underscores the need for all families to stay vigilant and practice water safety anytime they are in or around the water. Before heading to a pool this season, I implore everyone to sign the Pool Safely Pledge and to take critical safety steps to ensure the joy of swimming doesn’t turn tragic. By working together, we can reduce fatalities.”

There were, on average, an estimated 6,600 pool-or-spa related, hospital emergency department treated, nonfatal drowning injuries each year for 2016 through 2018, and 363 pool-or-spa related fatal child drownings reported per year for 2014 through 2016, involving children younger than 15. Fatal incident rates spiked in 2016 with 389 reported fatalities involving children younger than 15, 74 percent of which involved children younger than 5. In addition, the data also identified June as the month with the highest fatality incident rate and that residential locations made up 72 percent of reported fatal drowning incidents, according to the CPSC report. 

Parents and caregivers can follow these simple steps to keep children safer in and around the water:

  • Install a four-sided fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate around all pools and spas.
  • Designate a Water Watcher to supervise children at all times around the water. This person should not be reading, texting, using a smartphone or be otherwise distracted.
  • Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim.
  • Learn how to perform CPR on children and adults.
  • Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments.
  • Ensure any pool and spa you use has drain covers that comply with federal safety standards and if you do not know, ask your pool service provider about safe drain covers.

CPSC also released an updated report on suction entrapment incidents in swimming pools, spas and whirlpool bathtubs. The key finding is that since the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act went into effect in December 2008, there have been no reported fatalities involving a child being entrapped on a suction outlet cover in a public pool or spa.

You can read the full report on PoolSafely.gov.

 

Related Items
Information
June 13, 2019
DEM Blogger

Related Items

More in Information

Wind advisory in effect for Wednesday

John BobelJanuary 25, 2023
Read More

Take a Minute to Know About Utility Shutoffs in Your Home

John BobelDecember 27, 2022
Read More

Kentucky Transportation Officials Urge Residents to Stay off the Roads

John BobelDecember 23, 2022
Read More
MIssing Person

Missing Person Alert for Lexington Woman

John BobelDecember 23, 2022
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap

Copyright © 2018.

Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft
Tips for Proper Sun Protection this Summer