World Drowning Prevention Day runs every year on July 25th.
This global advocacy event serves as an opportunity to highlight the tragic and profound impact of drowning on families and communities and offer life-saving solutions to prevent it. An estimated 236,000 people drown every year, and drowning is among the ten leading causes of death for children and youth aged 1-24 years. More than 90% of drowning deaths occur in rivers, lakes, wells and domestic water storage vessels in low- and middle-income countries, with children and adolescents in rural areas disproportionately affected.
It’s a shocking fact that drowning is one of the biggest causes of death around the world and it is one of the top ten causes of death for children and young people under the age of 24.
The day will recognise the enormous human toll of drowning and highlight ways in which drowning can be prevented.
Closer to home, hundreds of Australian families mourn the loss of loved ones to drowning each year and hundreds more are left with life-long injuries because of a near-drowning.
Here are some ways to minimise the risk:
- Enrol in swimming lessons
- Supervise children around water
- Check pool fence and gate
- Avoid alcohol and drugs around water
- Wear a lifejacket
- Know the conditions
- Learn CPR
Every small step we individually take can help save lives.
