For Mesa parents, taking their children to the pool is a longstanding pastime during hot weather. Whether it be a private pool in one’s backyard or the local public pool, going out for a swim is an activity beloved by many.
However, such a pastime carries with it risks. According to an Arizona Department of Health Sciences report, 31 children from birth to age 17 in Arizona died in a fatal drowning incident in the year 2023, which makes up 3% of all child deaths that year. A total of 71% of child drowning deaths in Arizona in 2023 also occurred in children less than 5 years of age.
The leading risk factors for child drowning deaths were lack of supervision with 87%, inability to swim with 68%, and lack of pool barrier with 58%. The report says multiple risk factors can be identified in a drowning death.
