As temperatures rise and families head to pools, rivers, and lakes, Kern County Public Health officials want to remind the community that drowning is a leading cause of death for young children but it is also one of the most preventable.
During a press conference on May 21, Brynn Kerrigan, Director of Kern County Public Health, shared that drowning is the number one cause of accidental death for children ages one to four in the U.S. More than 350 young children die from drowning every year.
“Each year, we lose thousands of children to drowning,” said Kerrigan, citing statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “It is the leading unintentional injury-related cause of death for children ages one to four. In the U.S., more than 350 children under the age of five drown each year.”
In 2023, Kern County recorded two child drowning deaths, down from six in 2022. That’s a 67% drop, which Kerrigan said is a sign that prevention efforts are making a difference.
To help protect children, the health department is promoting the “Lock, Look, Learn” safety steps:
- Lock: Put fences around pools and spas. Use gates that close and latch by themselves. Add alarms to doors and gates that lead to water.
- Look: Always watch kids around water even if they know how to swim. Never leave them alone, even for a second.
- Learn: Take swim lessons and teach children to swim with a buddy. Use real life jackets, not floaties or inflatable toys.
Kern County Public Health also offers two free tools to help keep children safe:
- Water Watcher Lanyards: Bright necklaces with a whistle for adults who are assigned to watch swimmers. Their only job is to supervise kids in the water with no distractions.
- Hands-Only CPR Training: A quick and simple way to learn how to save a life if someone stops breathing or their heart stops.
Jeff Ferris, EMS Program Manager, explained that CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival, but most people don’t get help fast enough.
“If someone collapses or is pulled from water and isn’t breathing, call 911 and start chest compressions right away,” Ferris said. “It’s easy to learn, and it could save someone you love.”
“First, if someone collapses or isn’t responding, especially if they were just pulled from water, check if they’re okay by shaking them and shouting,” Ferris said. “If there’s no response, call 911 or have someone else do it right away.”
Then, place one hand over the other and press hard and fast in the center of the chest. Push straight down at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute about the beat of the song ‘Stayin’ Alive’ or ‘Baby Shark.’
“You keep going until the person wakes up or help arrives,” Ferris said.
Ferris also noted that for children, one hand is usually enough because their chest is smaller and softer.
To watch the demonstration of hands-only CPR by Kern Public Health officials, click here.
To learn more about water safety or CPR training, visit Kern County Public Health’s website.
