Water safety for kids: A parent's guide to preventing drowning at home, pools and open water

Why water safety matters

• Water can be dangerous almost anywhere—on vacation, in the bathtub, in the backyard, or at a friend’s house.
• Young children are at higher risk. Kids ages 1–4 are more likely to drown, and drowning is one of the top causes of accidental death for kids.
• The best way to prevent accidents is to follow water safety tips.

Active, undistracted supervision (“Water Watcher”)

Adult supervision saves lives. Choose an adult to watch children in or near water—at the pool, lake, beach, splash pad, or even around inflatable pools.

What “active supervision” looks like

• Within arm’s reach: Stay close enough to reach kids quickly.
• No distractions: Put phones away and avoid other distractions while supervising children.
• Take turns: When there are many adults present, take turns supervising.

The “Water Watcher” method

Supervision still matters even if kids can swim, are wearing floatation devices, or lifeguards are present. Remember, a “water watcher” is someone who stays close and keeps constant eyes on the water.

Barriers that save lives, especially at home

Many drowning accidents happen when a child finds water unexpectedly, such as at home. Homes can include water hazards like pools, bathtubs, buckets, and even toilets.

Pool barrier essentials

• Install fencing that is at least 4 feet high and surrounds the pool (separate it from the house and play area).
• Use self-closing, self-latching gates, with latches out of children’s reach.
• When the pool isn’t in use: keep gates locked, remove toys that may attract kids, and consider alarms.

Don't forget "sneaky hazards"

Children are also at risk of drowning in water on top of pool covers. So even pools with safety covers should have fencing or other ways to remove accumulated rainwater.

For everyday home safety, it is important to dump small pools after use, use childproof locks where necessary, and never leave children unattended in bathtubs.

The right flotation—life jackets over “floaties”

U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jackets are the safest choice for children on boats or docks, and even for weaker swimmers.

For babies, choose a life vest designed with head and neck support and a strap between the legs to help keep their head above water.

Alongside a life jacket, a bright, colored swimsuit can also help parents see their child in the water.

Avoid false confidence from flotation toys

Do not rely solely on flotation toys like arm floaties or puddle jumpers to keep a child safe from drowning. Even with a life jacket, a child still needs constant, close supervision.

Swim lessons are helpful

Swim lessons can be helpful, even for very young children, when taught safely and with close supervision. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends swim lessons for many children around age 1, depending on developmental readiness.

What to look for in a swim program

Choose instructors and programs with:

• CPR-certified trainers
• A strong student-to-instructor ratio
• A format that matches your child’s needs (for example, private lessons if your child has anxiety around water or groups)

Teach and repeat simple water rules

Kids do better with clear expectations. Review important rules with kids, such as:

• Always swim with a buddy and keep track of them
• Know where the deep end is
• Know who the supervising adult is if someone needs help

Prepare for emergencies—learn CPR

In a water emergency, CPR can save lives in the time before help arrives. CPR training for adults who have children or supervise them is recommended. Consider taking a refresher before swimming, or before a vacation and lake weekend.

Pool, lake, or ocean? Safety changes with the setting

Watch for slips, avoid diving headfirst, and be careful around drains

Wet pool decks are slippery and can lead to falls.

Diving headfirst into water can also lead to head trauma. Seek medical attention for head injuries that may include symptoms such as vomiting, loss of consciousness, significant bleeding, or confusion.

Watch out for drains or suction outlets in spas and shallow pools. They can be dangerous if the cover is loose, broken, or missing.

Open water: It’s unpredictable

Lakes and oceans differ from pools—waves and changing water conditions make them less predictable. Because of these hazards, life vests are important for kids in open water, and children and adults should never swim alone.

Don’t overlook cold water and fatigue

Body temperatures can drop quickly in kids. If you see shivering, get them out of the water and warm them up.

Even strong swimmers are at risk when they become tired, experience a head injury, or encounter strong currents (which is another reason why constant supervision matters).

A quick “Water Safety Checklist”

Use this as a pre-swim routine:

• Assign a “Water Watcher”
• Keep young kids within arm’s reach
• Use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets
• Enroll in swim lessons when developmentally ready
• Review simple water rules with kids
• Learn CPR and keep a phone nearby for emergencies

For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. If your child needs emergency care, you can find 24/7 emergency medicine services at one of our three Riley emergency locations. Our emergency department in downtown Indianapolis is also home to Indiana’s longest-standing Level I Pediatric Trauma Center.