According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission among unintentional injuries, drowning is the second leading cause of death to children under age 5, after motor vehicle incidents. In 2002, an estimated 1,600 children were treated in hospital emergency rooms for submersion injuries.  Many of these deaths and injuries occurred in residential pools.

A temporary lapse in supervision is a common factor in most drownings and near drownings. 

A drowning happens in a matter of seconds and often there is no sound to warn of trouble. You will not hear a splash or cry for help--children drown without making a sound.  One of the tragic realities of drowning deaths is that they are preventable but there is not one foolproof method of prevention.  That is why using multiple layers of protection is crucial and should include constant supervision of young children; placing barriers such as a fence with a self-closing and self-latching gate around the pool to prevent access; and being prepared in case of an emergency. 

Myths and Facts

Myth: " It can't happen to me.  I'm a good parent."

Fact: All parents whose children have drowned have felt this way. No one believes a drowning could happen to his or her child or to children under their care.  Even conscientious parents who understand the importance of supervision were almost always present when the drowning occurred.

Myth: "Drowning takes a long time."

Fact:  Children lose consciousness in 20 seconds or less. Studies and eyewitness accounts show that small children only struggle 20 seconds or less before losing consciousness. They turn blue and require some form of CPR to resume breathing.  However, a child’s heart is strong and healthy. If you can get a child to begin breathing in the crucial first seconds, they have a better chance for survival. 

Myth: “As long as there are other adults around, children are safe.”

Fact: Children can drown even though they are surrounded by adults.  Never assume someone else will see your child if he or she slips under the water.  Always designate a “water watcher” whose only responsibility is to maintain constant visual supervision of the children in the water.

Myth: “I’ll hear my child if he or she is in trouble.”

Fact: Drowning is a silent event.  Children don’t splash, cry or call out for help.

Myth: My child is safe because he or she is in the house with me.”

Fact: Most drowning victims were last seen inside the house.  Don’t assume your child is safe because you last saw him napping or playing.  If your child is missing always check the pool area first.

Safety Tips

Curiosity, rapidly changing skills and the inability to understand danger place young children at high risk. 

• Build layers of barrier protection between the children and water to warn and impede.
• Adults must establish and communicate responsibility for child supervision.
• Learn infant/child CPR.
• Mount rescue equipment by the pool.
• Have a phone by the pool.
• Teach everyone how to use safety equipment and how to call 9-1-1.

The Anaheim Fire Department Community Relations Section offers drowning awareness and education programs. This program is available to anyone in our community in both English and Spanish. To schedule a program or for more information, call the Community Relations Section at (714) 765-4012.

Information also provided by CHOC visit their website at www.choc.org.

You may email me at askthechief@anaheim.net, or write to me at "Ask the Chief”

Anaheim Fire Department Community Relations Section

201 S. Anaheim Blvd., MS#301, Anaheim, CA 92805.