The most preventable death – Water safety for children

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - There are over 4,000 deaths annually from drowning in the United States, and around a thousand are children under 5 years old.

"The number one reason kids don't make it to kindergarten is for drowning," Kyla Dnaos, owner of the British Swim School, said. "And so it's a big problem, I think a lot of people don't realize it."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ranks Idaho in the top ten states with the most drowning deaths. With multiple bodies of water from canals, lakes, and rivers, giving children a better understanding of the water could prevent death by drowning.

"Statistically, Idaho is the fifth worst in the nation for drowning incidents," Joshua Dnaos, fellow owner of the British Swim School, stated. "We're the second worst in the nation for canal drownings. So, there's a lot of opportunities where children may find themselves near a body of water and not know the risks."

Keeping an eye on children around any body of water or putting up boundaries around pools in your backyard could help prevent drowning. Another thing you could consider is enrolling your child in swim lessons.

"If you can get your swim lessons for your kids before the age of four, it brings down drowning by 88%," Kyla said. "It takes a little bit of the worry off your mind, because it is hard to have direct supervision all the time, and in that one instant that you go to pick up your phone, something could happen. But if they have the knowledge in their head and know what to do, then you can have a little bit more peace of mind."

No matter your child's swimming knowledge, it is important to maintain supervision around any body of water.