Where and When Do Children Drown?

Many drowning tragedies are preventable; understanding where and why children drown happens makes it easier to prevent.

According to a major study in the July 2001 issue of Pediatrics, infants are most likely to drown inside the home (in bathtubs or buckets) and toddlers in swimming pools or hot tubs.

Older children and adolescents are most likely to die from drowning in ponds, lakes, and streams (toddlers here too).

Boys are far more likely to fall prey to drowning than girls. Kids are most likely to be drowned during the ages of most active exploration. Overall, toddlers and adolescents are at the highest risk, with the peak ages of drowning at 1-4 years old and 15-19 years old.