Drowning Prevention
In Florida, drowning is the leading cause of death for children under age 5 and the second leading cause in children ages 5 to 14. Remember to never leave children alone when they are in or near the bathtub, pool or spa. Empty buckets, tubs and wading pools immediately after use. Keep toilet lids closed if you have young children at home.

Although children may be at greatest risk, everyone, including seniors, has the potential for drowning, especially with the easy accessible of swimming pools in Florida. Prevent drowning with a few simple measures, such as keeping a phone by the pool in case of emergency, installing proper fences and barriers to prevent children from entering the area unattended and consider taking a CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) class – it may save someone’s life.

A number of resources are available to Lee County residents, from swimming lessons offered at various community centers to drowning prevention tips and information about swimming pool safety.

For more information or to arrange a speaker on this topic, please call the Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition speaker’s bureau at 239-343-3539. Speakers are provided free of charge to community groups and schools.