Little Kids Splashing in a Pool
Any time we have water, there is risk. As we kick off summer, we enter the season with the highest number of drowning incidents. Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death for U.S. children ages 1-4 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to drowning incidents tracked by the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) and Orange County Emergency Medical Services (OCEMS) throughout Orange County, preliminary data show 114 drowning incidents in 2022 in Orange County. Forty-eight were fatalities and 66 were non-fatal incidents.
Drowning is often silent
- A drowning person doesn’t look like they are drowning
- A drowning person cannot call for help, splash, or raise their arms.
- A drowning person remains upright in the water and may look like they are treading water with their arms, but their legs are usually not kicking.
- A drowning person is quiet. Children playing in the water make noise. When they are quiet, find out why, always ask if they are, okay?
- It only takes seconds to drown.
- If a child goes missing, always check the water first.
Follow the A, B, Cs of Water Safety
- A is for Active Adult supervision
- Ensure there is always an adult actively supervising children when they are in or around water.
- B is for Barriers around pools and spas
- Install barriers like pool fences and safety covers to prevent unsupervised access to the water.
- C is for Classes
- Consider taking swimming lessons or CPR classes to be better prepared in case of an emergency.
Learn more about Pool Dangers and Drowning Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Drowning Facts
HealthyChidren.org: Pool Dangers and Drowning Prevention―When It’s Not Swimming Time English | Spanish
Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA): ABC’s of Water Safety English | Spanish | Vietnamese | Korean | Farsi
