Drowning Prevention and Water Safety at Home

Why families need a water safety plan

Around 300,000 people drown each year worldwide. Children under 5 make up nearly a quarter of these deaths. Drowning is the fourth leading cause of death for children aged 1 to 4 years and the third leading cause for children aged 5 to 14 years. About 92% of drowning deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, and rates there are more than three times higher than in high-income countries. Males drown at more than twice the rate of females, and drowning accounts for about 75% of deaths in flood disasters.

The danger is not only rivers, canals and the sea. Buckets, water storage drums, wells, tanks and bathtubs are all deep enough for a small child. Drowning happens quickly and quietly, with no shouting or splashing to warn you.

Six measures that prevent drowning

1. Put barriers between children and water. Cover wells and water tanks, use doorway barriers and playpens, and fence swimming pools. A pool fence should have four sides, stand at least four feet high, fully enclose the water, and have self-closing, self-latching gates.
2. Provide supervised care for pre-school children during the hours when adults are busy with work or household tasks.
3. Teach school-age children swimming and water safety skills using a safety-tested course.
4. Train people in safe rescue and resuscitation so that someone nearby can act in the first minutes.
5. Follow safe boating rules, including not overloading boats.
6. Prepare for floods, with early warning and a family plan for where to go.

Everyday habits at home and outdoors

Name one responsible adult to watch children closely and constantly whenever they are in or near water, including in the bathtub. That adult should not read, use a phone, or drink alcohol while watching. Empty buckets, tubs and paddling pools straight after use and store them upside down.

Use a properly fitting, approved life jacket for children during activities in and around natural water, and for weaker swimmers of any age in natural water and swimming pools. Adults should avoid alcohol before and during swimming or boating, because it affects judgement, balance and coordination.

Natural water carries hidden hazards, including strong currents, waves, rocks, plants and poor visibility. People with a seizure disorder need one-to-one supervision around water, and showers are safer than baths. Learning CPR is worth the time for any parent or caregiver.

What not to do

• Do not rely on air-filled or foam toys, armbands or rings. These are not safety devices.
• Do not assume swimming lessons make a child safe. Children who have had lessons still need close and constant supervision.
• Do not leave an older child in charge of a toddler near water.
• Do not leave a young child alone in a bathtub, even for a moment to answer the door or phone.
• Do not swim, boat or supervise children after drinking alcohol.
• Do not jump into fast or deep water to rescue someone unless you are trained. Reach out with a pole or branch, or throw something that floats.

When to get emergency help

Call for help the moment someone is missing near water or has been pulled from it. call Rescue 1122 where available, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Rescue 1122 in Pakistan includes a water rescue service alongside ambulance and fire services.

Anyone who has been pulled from water needs urgent medical assessment, even if they seem fine. Call immediately if the person is unresponsive, is not breathing or is breathing strangely, is coughing, choking or short of breath, is confused or very drowsy, or has been under water for any length of time. If they are unresponsive and not breathing, start CPR if you have been trained, and keep going until help arrives.