World Drowning Prevention Day highlight the cause of over 2.5 million preventable deaths in the past decade of drowning people and offer life-saving solutions to prevent it. An estimated 235,600 people drown every year, and drowning is among the ten leading causes of death for children aged 5-14 years. More than 90% of drowning deaths occur in rivers, lakes, wells, domestic water storage vessels and swimming pools in low- and middle-income countries, with children and adolescents in rural areas disproportionately affected.
By highlighting the need for urgent action on proven measures such as:
• Installing barriers controlling access to water
• Providing safe places away from water such as crèches for pre-school children with capable childcare
• Teaching swimming, water safety and safe rescue skills
• Training bystanders in safe rescue and resuscitation
• Setting and enforcing safe boating, shipping and ferry regulations
• Improving flood risk management.