Drowning is silent. Layer up.
Drowning is the #1 cause of death for children ages 1 to 4. It happens in seconds, usually with no splash and no cry for help, and it’s preventable.
- #1cause of death for children ages 1 to 4
- SilentUsually no splashing and no calling for help
- 70%+of children who die in a pool or spa drown at a home
No single layer is enough. Stack them.
- Watch. Name one Water Watcher. Stay within arm’s reach of toddlers. Phones down.
- Fence. A fence on all four sides of the pool, with a gate that closes and latches by itself.
- Alarms. On every door to the pool, plus a pool alarm. Keep them on, especially with guests.
- Empty it. Buckets, coolers, kiddie pools and tubs. Young children can drown in an inch or two of water.
- Swim skills. ISR self-rescue for babies and toddlers, swim lessons after the first birthday. They add to the other layers, never replace them.
- Life jackets. U.S. Coast Guard-approved at lakes, rivers and the beach. Water wings and floaties are toys.
- Be ready. Learn infant and child CPR. If a child is missing, check the water first. Call 911.
Why our family cares
Our little brother Adam was 14 months old when he slipped out during a busy family week and into our backyard pool. He was out of sight for about three minutes. He survived, with a severe brain injury, and he’s still the heart of our family. We started Because of ADAM so other families learn the layers before it happens to them.
“A four-sided pool fence with a self-closing gate would have saved him.”
Our mom, Shannon
Scan for the layers of protection, a home checklist and the Water Watcher pledge.
becauseofadam.org/water-safety