The Texas Department of Family & Protective Services tracks fatal drownings of children, age 17 and younger, in Texas. In 2023 there were 90 fatal child drownings. (Latest stats here) It is estimated that there are 7 times more non-fatal drownings than fatal drownings for children ages 1-15.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning ranks third among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States.
- From 2011-2020, there were an average of 4,012 fatal unintentional drownings (non-boating related) annually in the United States — about eleven deaths per day.1
- For every child who dies from drowning, another seven receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries.1
- Nearly 40% of drownings treated in emergency departments require hospitalization or transfer for further care (compared with 10% for all unintentional injuries).1These nonfatal drowning injuries can cause severe brain damage that may result in long-term disabilities such as memory problems, learning disabilities, and permanent loss of basic functioning (e.g., permanent vegetative state).3,4
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that drowning is the 3rd leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide, accounting for 7% of all injury-related deaths.
Drowning is fast and silent. No one is drownproof, but drowning is preventable. Please view our Water Safety Tips to help keep you and your family safer around water throughout the year.