Drowning Prevention & Water Safety
Children are naturally drawn to water. Pools, ponds, rivers, and even bathtubs can become dangerous in seconds. The best way to keep them safe is active, undistracted supervision.
Key Facts
Understanding the risks is an important part of drowning prevention and water safety.
Drowning is the leading cause of death for U.S. children ages 1–4 and one of the leading causes for older children. For every fatal drowning, many more children experience nonfatal incidents that can result in long-term injury.
Prevention begins with understanding how quickly risk can appear—and how easily it can be reduced.
Active Supervision Saves Lives
Children are naturally drawn to water. Pools, bathtubs, spas, ponds, rivers, and beaches all require close attention.
Always designate a responsible adult as a Water Watcher when children are near water. This person should stay focused, avoid distractions, and remain within arm’s reach of young or inexperienced swimmers.
Water Safety Practices
Simple, consistent habits dramatically reduce the risk of drowning:
• Never leave children unattended in or near water
• Assign a Water Watcher—no phones, books, or distractions
• Teach children to ask permission before entering water
• Keep children away from pool drains and covers
• Keep a charged phone nearby in case of emergency
• Learn CPR and emergency response skills
• Share water safety awareness with family, friends, and caregivers
Layered protection works best—supervision, education, and preparedness together.
Why This Matters to Project One Cause
Project One Cause supports families whose children have survived drowning and now live with drowning-related brain injuries.
Prevention is the first and most powerful step. While we help families navigate recovery, our goal is always fewer families ever needing that support.
Stay Informed. Stay Present. Share Awareness.
Water safety is a shared responsibility. Learning the signs, practicing active supervision, and spreading awareness can prevent life-altering tragedies.
If you’d like to learn more about water safety education, visit the National Drowning Prevention Alliance at ndpa.org.
When Prevention Isn’t Enough
Even with precautions in place, drowning accidents can still happen. Project One Cause exists to support families after a child survives a non-fatal drowning, when recovery and long-term care begin.