Última actualización: 25 de julio de 2025
World Drowning Prevention Day is July 25
RICHMOND, Va. – For World Drowning Prevention Day, the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) remind families that residential pools are the leading location for accidental pool drownings in children under 15. RHHD encourages homeowners to ensure that their pools have proper safety features in place to help reduce the risk of drowning or injury.
According to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 70% of pools or spas drownings in children under age 15 occurred in residential settings. That number grows to 85% for children 0-5 years old.
In Virginia, nine children under age five have accidentally drowned in pools in 2025, an increase from the last five years (three in 2024, two in 2023, and four in 2022, eight in 2021 and four in 2020).
“World Drowning Prevention Day gives us the opportunity focus on the importance of keeping ourselves and our families safe while swimming in pools this summer,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Director Elaine Perry, M.D. “Residential pools provide a fun, active way to connect with friends and family. Safer pools and careful supervision of children can prevent accidental drownings.”
RHHD offers the following tips to increase the safety of your residential pool:
- Properly fence all pools at least four feet in height around the perimeter of the pool/spa.
- Use a self-closing and self-latching gate.
- Use anti-entrapment drain covers. Encourage swimmers to stay away from drains and other pool openings.
- Always remove portable pool ladders when not in use and when adults are not present.
- Retire todos los juguetes del área de la piscina que puedan atraer a los niños a la piscina cuando no estén en uso con la supervisión de un adulto.
- Install alarms on doors leading from the house to the pool area that will alert you when someone enters the pool area.
- Empty and put away smaller portable pools after every use. Cover larger portable pools.
- Make sure your neighbors, babysitters and visitors know about the pool’s presence in your yard.
Drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages one to four. Drownings happen quickly and silently. In Virginia, on average, one person drowns every four days.
RHHD reminds families to:
- Always watch kids in and around the water – and designate a water watcher.
- Teach children to swim – or sign them up for swim classes.
- Know life-saving skills, including CPR for adults and children.
Visit swimhealthyva.com for more information. Swim safe. Stay safe!
Para obtener más información sobre salud y seguridad, siga a RHHD en Instagram en @richmondcity_hd y en Facebook, visite rhhd.gov y suscríbase al boletín mensual de RHHD en rhhd.gov/news.