While most drownings don’t occur in the home, of those that do, 80% involve children ages 4 and under and most of these occur in swimming pools and bathtubs. Still, drowning are the fifth leading cause of home injury death in the US.

A few interesting facts about home drowning:

• One third of unintentional home drowning occur in bathtubs and almost half occur in other locations including swimming pools.
• More than half of all drowning among infants (under age 1) occur in bathtubs. Another 12% of drowning in this age group occurs in buckets.
• More than half of drowning among children ages 1 to 4 are pool related.
• Most children who drown in swimming pools had been missing from their parent’s sight for less than five minutes.

As far as pools go, the only solution that has proven effective in preventing the drowning of young children is four-sided fencing around the pool. That fencing should also include a self-closing and self-latching gate or door.

Here are a few things that you can do to prevent drowning in your home:

•  protects your swim area locked at all times so that children and others won't accidentally fall into the water.
• Drain covers are intact and in place every time you use your pool. The powerful suction in the swimming-pool drain can keep even strong adults underwater. Hair and bathing suits on children can get caught in the drain causing them to be pulled under. If a cover is broken or missing, replace it before allowing anyone in.
• Never leave a baby alone in a bathtub for any amount of time. Also never leave young children alone in a tub.
• Keep your toilet lid down and keep young children out of the bathroom unsupervised.
• Do not keep open containers in the yard or around the house that can fill with water.
• Keep hot tubs covered and make sure that the cover stays in place.
• Refrain from using prescription drugs and alcohol when using bathtubs or swimming pools. Closely monitor any adults who are using prescription drugs or alcohol and insist on getting in a pool or bathtub.