CPSC Report: Nonfatal Drowning Injuries Increased by 17% in 2021

Water safety remains a crucial concern, particularly for young children. According to a 2022 report by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), nonfatal drowning injuries among children spiked by 17% in 2021, with 6,800 injuries reported compared to 5,800 in 2020. Additionally, drownings continue to be the leading cause of accidental death in children under 4 years old.

The report highlighted the risks posed by residential pools, which accounted for 75% of nonfatal drownings in children under 5 and 66% of fatal drownings in children under 15. Between 2017 and 2019, an average of 389 child fatalities related to pools and spas occurred each year.

CPSC Tips for Water Safety:

• Never leave children unattended in or near water.
• For pool or spa owners, install barriers like door alarms, pool covers, and self-closing gates to prevent unsupervised access.
• Learn CPR in case of emergencies.
• Teach your children to swim and ensure you can swim as well.

CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric emphasized the importance of water safety and encouraged parents to stay vigilant by using safety devices, enrolling in swimming lessons, and following safety guidelines to reduce drowning risks this summer.