The World Health Organization says two simple actions could protect millions from drowning and yield monetary benefits up to nine times the amount invested.
The call to action came the same day Phoenix firefighters rescued an unconscious 3-year-old girl from a backyard pool. Phoenix fire Capt. Keller says the girl was transported to the hospital in extremely critical condition.
The WHO’s investment case says, by 2050, investing in day care for pre-school aged children and teaching basic swim skills to school-aged children, could save more than 770,000 lives and prevent close to one million non-fatal child drownings, which can cause severe, life-limiting injuries.
Children aged 1–4 years and 5–9 years drown the most frequently.
Keller said the key is to watch children around water and avoid distractions.
“If you are having a designated child watcher, that’s exactly what that person is doing: They’re not drinking; they’re not playing on their phone. They’re watching those children — or child — in that pool area,” he said.
Keller added Phoenix fire responded to at least five drowning calls on Sunday alone.
“The No. 1 thing is proper adult supervision. There is absolutely no replacement for adult supervision,” said Keller.
Globally, drowning has caused more than 2.5 million deaths in the past decade, 90% of them in low- and middle-income countries.
