June 25, 2024 – The State is reminding parents and caregivers this summer of the importance of always supervising children when they are in or near water to avoid the tragedy of accidental drowning deaths.
In 2023, 20 children in Illinois lost their lives to accidental drowning: Thirteen of the children were age 5 and younger; including six of the children who drowned in pools.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 5 to 14.
Follow these safety tips to help protect children and prevent water-related tragedy:
Bathrooms
- Never leave a young child alone in a bathtub or rely on a bathtub seat for safety.
- Secure the toilet lid. Curious toddlers could tip headfirst into a toilet, risking drowning.
- Don’t allow children to play alone in the bathroom.
Buckets
- Five-gallon buckets commonly used for household home-improvement projects pose a threat to babies and toddlers who may topple into them and be unable to get out.
- Empty and store all buckets out of children’s reach when not in use.
Portable or inflatable pools
- Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security because of the shallowness of baby pools. A child can drown in as little as one inch of water.
- Empty the pool immediately after use and store it upside-down.
Swimming pools and hot tubs
- Keep ladders, patio furniture and toys away from above-ground pools.
- Install a four-sided fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate around all pools and spas.
- Keep the pool and deck clear of floats, balls and toys after you leave the pool.
- Young children can wear personal flotation devices, but do not be lured into thinking these are able to prevent drownings.
- Keep hot tubs securely covered when not in use. Children should not be left in a hot tub alone.
- Appoint an adult who can swim to always watch children when they are in the pool.
- Learn CPR and keep rescue equipment, a phone and emergency numbers by the pool. The American Red Cross offers online CPR training classes anyone can take at their own pace from the convenience of home.
Ponds, fountains and retention ponds
- Be aware of access to water hazards in your yard and neighborhood. If a child goes missing, check these areas first.
