Drowning

Drowning is the second major cause of death from unintentional injury in children 5 years of age and the third major cause of death in adolescents. Most young children drown after falling into swimming pools while unsupervised; adolescents more commonly drown in lakes and rivers while swimming or boating. Drowning can be prevented by installing isolation fencing around swimming pools (gates should be self-closing and self-latching) and wearing personal flotation devices (life jackets) while in, around, or on water.