Water Safety: Drowning Prevention Tips for Pool and Beach Season

Pediatric Providers Team
7 days ago
3 min read

June is here, and that means pools are opening. Families across Baltimore County are heading to beaches. While Summer water activities bring so much joy, they also come with serious risks. Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in children, and it can happen quickly and silently — often in just a few seconds and in as little as two inches of water.

The good news is that drowning is preventable. Here is what every family should know before heading into the water this summer.

Understanding the Risk by Age

Drowning risks vary by age, and knowing the risks specific to your child can help you take the right precautions:

Ages 1 to 4: This age group has the highest drowning rate of all children. Most drownings in this group happen in home swimming pools.
Ages 5 to 14: Natural bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, and the ocean become the most common setting. This is when children overestimate their swimming ability.
Teens: Adolescents are more likely to take risks around water and may swim in unsupervised locations.

Ways to Improve Safety

No single safety measure is enough on its own. The safest approach is to use multiple layers of protection at the same time.

Supervision: Designate a "water watcher" whenever children are near the water. This is one adult whose only job is to watch the children. They should not be on their phone, reading, or socializing. Rotate this role every 15 to 20 minutes so attention stays sharp.
Barriers: All home pools should be surrounded by a four-sided fence at least four feet high with a self-latching, self-closing gate. This alone can reduce drowning risk by up to 83 percent.
Swim lessons: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends swim lessons starting at age 1 for most children. Lessons significantly reduce drowning risk, though they do not eliminate it entirely.
Life jackets: Coast Guard-approved life jackets are required for children in boats. At the beach or when swimming in open water, weak swimmers, including younger swimmers, should wear a life jacket. Floaties and pool noodles are not safety devices.
Knowing what to do: Learn CPR. Bystander CPR has been shown to improve outcomes in drowning emergencies. Many local fire stations and community centers offer free or low-cost CPR training.

Pool Safety Tips

Never leave a child unattended near a pool, even for a moment.
Empty and store portable wading pools after each use.
Keep a phone and rescue equipment such as a reaching pole and life ring at poolside.
Remove pool toys from the water after swimming so children are not tempted to reach in.
Drain covers should meet federal safety standards to prevent entrapment.
Consider a pool alarm that sounds when someone enters the water unexpectedly.

Beach and Open Water Safety

Swim only in areas that are staffed by lifeguards, and stay within the designated swim zones.
Check conditions before entering. Rip currents, wave height, and water temperature all matter.
If caught in a rip current, do not swim against it. Swim parallel to shore until you are out of the current, then swim back to the beach at an angle.
Teach children to ask permission before going near any body of water, including ponds, drainage ditches, and streams.
At the Chesapeake Bay, be aware that water depth can change quickly and there may be underwater hazards not visible from shore.

What Drowning Actually Looks Like

Many parents expect drowning to be loud. In reality, a child in trouble rarely shouts or waves for help. They are too focused on trying to breathe. Signs to watch for include:

Head low in the water, mouth at water level
Eyes glassy, unfocused, or closed
Body upright in the water with little or no leg movement
Gasping or hyperventilating
Inability to respond to calls or directions

If you see these signs, act immediately. Do not wait to be sure.

When to Call 911

If a child is pulled from the water and is unresponsive or not breathing normally, call 911 immediately and begin CPR if trained to do so. Do not wait to see if they recover on their own. Even children who appear fine after a near-drowning should be evaluated at the emergency room. A condition called secondary drowning can develop hours after a water incident.