In 2024, 103 children in Texas drowned. Five of those children lived in Bexar County, and were under the age of 3.
Water activities are the go-to for many families when the warmer weather hits. Still, no matter where you go to cool off, it’s important to practice good water safety.
Why Water Safety Matters
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates over half of American adults do not know how to swim.
"Swimming is a basic skill that is proven to be effective in preventing drownings, which is the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4," says Elizabeth Varallo, program manager for University Health’s coalition Safe Kids San Antonio.
Who Is Most at Risk for Drowning?
Often, infants and toddlers are the most at risk of drowning because they can end up face-down in shallow water just 1-2 inches deep and drown in a matter of seconds.
While young children are more at risk of drowning in shallower water, teenaged and adult men are at higher risk of drowning due to reckless behavior and not taking proper water safety precautions.
“The statistics actually demonstrate, unfortunately, that men drown more often, particularly as adults and teenagers,” said Dr. Craig Cooley, a University Hospital emergency medical physician and assistant professor at UT Health San Antonio.
Drowning Hazards Parents Overlook
Three of the Bexar County drownings that occurred in 2024 happened in a backyard or apartment pool. While being within your home space may feel safe, there are common drowning hazards parents tend to overlook, including:
- Supervision: If your child has had swimming lessons, this doesn’t mean they don’t need supervision. Constant supervision is necessary when in or around the water.
- Toys: When the pool is not in use, it’s good practice to pick up toys from around the area. This prevents your child from getting distracted and walking towards the pool when no one is outside, which puts them at risk of falling in.
- Flotation Devices: Do not rely on floatation devices as a substitute for supervision. Whether the flotation device is U.S. Coast Guard-approved or not, active supervision is essential at all times.
If you have a backyard pool, Varallo highly recommends that parents install a pool fence that is at least 4 feet tall. "Be sure the fence has a self-closing and self-latching gate. This will protect your kids from getting close to the pool without proper supervision," says Varallo.
Water Safety Tips
If you and your family plan on swimming or floating along our local Frio River—or any rive or lake—here are water safety tips to keep your family safe:
- Wear a properly fitted life vest
- Use the buddy system and swim with another person
- Avoid alcohol to keep your judgment and reaction time
- Swim at a depth that’s safe for you
- Make sure others know where you are swimming
- Check the weather forecast before swimming in natural waters
Home Water Safety
Drowning hazards also exist inside your home. They can be as big as a tub or as small as a bucket. Here are ways you can keep your children safe:
- Never leave children under age 6 (or older, depending on maturity level) alone in the bathtub.
- Immediately drain the tub after use.
- Use toilet seat locks to help prevent drowning.
- Keep bathroom and laundry room doors closed.
- Empty tubs, buckets, containers and wading pools right after use. Store them upside down and out of children’s reach.
Emergency Preparedness
Drowning is preventable, and one way to prepare for a drowning emergency is to learn CPR. By attending a CPR training class, you can save a person’s life.
You can get your certification from many organizations, including:
Injury Prevention at University Health
You can learn more about Injury Prevention at University Health for kids and adults on our website. Find more water safety tips.
