Drowning is the most common cause of death in young children. This is how they prevent it

Cnn

By Katia Hetter, CNN

(CNN) – Warmer weather is finally here in the northern hemisphere, and many pools and beaches are opened for summer. This is great for families who want to spend time on the water, but it is also a good time to be reminded of the importance of water security.

An estimated 4,000 deadly, unintentional drowning occur every year in the United States – an average of 11 drowned death per day – according to the centers for the control and prevention of diseases.

Drowning is the most common cause of death in children aged 1 to 4 years, and after accidents with motor vehicles, it is the second most common cause of death that is due to unintentional injuries in children between the ages of 5 and 14.

I wanted more about water security with the CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana wen speak. Who is an emergency doctor and extraordinary professor at George Washington University, who previously worked as a health commissioner of Baltimore. She is also a mother of two small children and as someone who learned to swim as an adult, she is a passionate lawyer for children – and adults – to swim.

CNN: Who is the most at risk and under what circumstances?

Dr. Leana wen: In 2024, the CDC published an important report on unintentional drown in the United States. According to the agency, the mortality rates in 2020, 2021 and 2022 were significantly higher than in 2019. In addition, the highest rates in small children aged 1 to 4 years were observed in children in this age group, 461 died by drowning in 2022, an increase of 28% compared to 2019.

In the report, racist differences were also emphasized, with higher drowning rates in people who were identified as non-Hispanic-Indian or Alaskic natives and as non-Hispanic blacks or African Americans. Only 45%of all adults stated that they had swimming lessons, and these numbers were higher in white Americans (52%) than in black (37%) and Hispanic (28%) Americans.

Racial differences were also reported in an analysis of 2023 The consumer goods product commission, which found that African -American children drowned 21% of all drowning for children under 15 years, in which breed and ethnicity are known. In children aged 5 to 14 years, 45% of the drowning deaths occurred among African Americans.

The CPSC analysis also contained another key date: the vast majority (80%) of the pediatric drown, in which the setting is known in a residence. This means that 4 out of 5 children drowned, in their own backyard pool or that of a friend, a neighbor or a family member died. Of these drowners in residential areas, 91% occurred in children under the age of 77.

CNN: Why do so many drown in residential areas happen?

Who: One main reason is the difference in surveillance. Many public beaches and community pools cease lifeguards, the task of which is to pay attention to the safety of everyone in or near the water. Private pools in people's shipyards have often not shown anyone for this purpose. Sometimes older children supervise younger children, but don't always watch. Or adults may monitor, but they are also busy with other tasks. In addition, some of those that others observe know how to swim themselves.

There can also be a wrong feeling of security in residential areas. People may think that the pool is small or not so deep or there are many people nearby. So what can happen? However, remember that small children can drown in only centimeters of water. A serious injury or death can take place within 30 seconds. Drown often silence because the victim cannot call for help.

CNN: How can parents and legal guardians prevent drown in residential areas?

Who: The most important best practice is not to monitor children near a water. Even if you can already swim, even if you wear a flotation device, an accident can occur – and either you or another responsible adult should always be able to see your child. The monitored adult should actively observe the child and not be distracted by tasks or his smartphone. This person should not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The responsible adult must also know how he can swim well enough so that he can jump into the pool and save the child if necessary. Additional security provision is the learning of HLW and first aid for infants, children and adults who can do through the American Red Cross.

If you have a pool, be very careful before you allow others to use it. If their neighbors' children want to swim in their pool, a responsible adult must accompany them. Private swimming pools should have all child -proof fences around them. The fence should lock the pool, have a self -clammy lock outside the range of the children and be at least 4 feet high. This is required by law in most countries.

CNN: What security precautions should people hit around natural water body?

Who: Always wear a properly assembled life jacket when driving boating. According to the CDC, 85% of all people who drowned during boot driving in 2022 wore 85% no life jacket.

To be safe, they swim in areas where a lifeguard is on duty. Always follow the lifeguards on security conditions and stay in the area that is intended for swimming.

CNN: What about swimming, teaching children – can that help with water security?

Who: Yes. According to a study in Jama Pediatrics, children aged 1 to 4 who took part in formal swimming lessons had a low drown of 88%. The goal here is not necessarily to teach children all the different blows and to make them join a swimming team. It should convey basic life -saving skills such as the pedal of water and floating on the back.

If you are in the water with your children, take every opportunity to remind you of water security. Other tips never include swimming alone, always asking for permission before you enter the water and never dive into unknown water bodies. Small children should also be reminded not to reach for objects in the pool because they are at risk. Instead, you should always ask for help.

CNN: What about parents or legal guardians who don't know how to swim? Do you recommend that you also take swimming lessons?

Who: Yes. First, adults who do not know how to swim are more children who don't know how to swim. This was the case for me. My parents don't swim and I have never learned to grow up.

Second, it is difficult for adults to supervise children who swim when they cannot swim. It was actually a terrible experience with my own children, which caused me to learn to swim. My children were only 1 year and 3 years old in a summer when my older child pushed the younger one into the pool.

We were in our local community pool, and there was a lifeguard swimmer that immediately takes action. But I remember how scared I felt – and how helpless. I immediately wrote down my children in swimming hours. I also found an instructor that was taught to me because I realized that I had to overcome my own fear of the water and learn basic water security skills to protect my children.

It is a humiliating experience to swim as an adult, especially for people like me who first had to start overcoming the fear. I literally started from zero. For weeks I worked to just dive comfortably under water.

Finally I learned how to swim, and now it really enjoys being in the water. And I feel much more comfortable to oversee my children when we are in private or community swimming rooms. I look forward to our local pool opening for the summer and to spend time with my children who have a funny – and safe – time in the water.

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