Child drowning deaths rise in the U.S., prompting calls for greater family preparedness

Doctors and safety advocates are sounding an alarm over a concerning rise in child drownings across the United States in recent years. "When drowning occurs, seconds matter," stated Dr. Rohit Shenoi, lead author of a recent warning from the American Academy of Pediatrics. "Quick rescue and resuscitation can mean the difference between life, death and lifelong disability."

While about 4,000 to 5,000 Americans drown annually, with most victims being adults in natural bodies of water, drowning poses a significantly greater risk to children. It stands as the leading cause of death for children aged 1 to 4 and ranks among the top causes for those aged 5 to 14. The drowning rate is notably higher for Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native children in the older age bracket.

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When drowning occurs, seconds matter. Quick rescue and resuscitation can mean the difference between life, death and lifelong disability.

Drownings involving very young children can occur in bathtubs, but most incidents, particularly those involving swimming pools, underscore a critical lapse in supervision. The story of Stewie Leonard, whose 21-month-old son drowned during a family vacation in 1989, illustrates this danger. "When everyone's watching, nobody's watching," recalled Kim Leonard, Stewie's mother, reflecting on the moments before her son was found in the pool.

This personal tragedy spurred Stew and Kim Leonard to establish a foundation dedicated to water safety, funding children's swimming lessons and promoting drowning prevention. Their efforts come at a time when child drowning deaths, after a period of decline, have seen an increase. After falling from around 2,000 deaths annually in the 1980s to below 1,000 by the early 2000s, child drowning deaths rose from 756 in 2019 to 865 in 2024, reversing a downward trend.

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When everyone's watching, nobody's watching.