Keeping Kids Safe Around Water: 7 Science-Backed Tips for All Ages

Water play is one of childhood’s greatest joys—whether it’s giggling in the bath, learning to swim, or splashing at the beach. But a little precaution goes a long way in making sure those moments stay happy and safe. While drowning is rare, it’s still a leading cause of injury in children—especially under age 5.¹

Here are seven simple, science-backed water safety tips for babies, toddlers, and kids of all ages.

1. Keep Babies Within Arm’s Reach

When it comes to infants and toddlers, supervision means really close. Even a few inches of water—like in a bathtub or kiddie pool—can be dangerous if you're distracted. Pediatricians recommend “touch supervision” for children under 5.² That means you're always within reach, ready to respond if needed.

2. Bathtime Counts, Too

Bathtubs may not seem risky, but about 43% of drowning deaths in children under 1 year happen there.³ Always drain the tub right after use and avoid leaving your child in the care of older siblings during bath time.

Bonus Tip: Using a real-time vital signs monitor during baths (like Aulisa’s Guardian Angel® system) can give extra peace of mind if your little one is recovering from illness or at higher risk.

3. Enroll in Age-Appropriate Swim Lessons

Swim lessons aren’t just a summer activity—they’re a safety tool. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends lessons starting as early as age 1, which can reduce drowning risk for toddlers.⁴ Choose programs that focus on survival skills, floating, and water confidence—not just freestyle technique.

4. Assign a “Water Watcher” at Gatherings

At pool parties or beach days, it’s easy to assume someone else is watching. Instead, designate one adult to be the “water watcher” for 15–20 minutes at a time—no phones, no chatting, just eyes on the water. Then switch off with another adult.⁵

5. Stick with Life Jackets in Open Water

For boating, lakes, or rivers, always use a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Water wings and inflatable rings are cute but not designed for safety. Life jackets should fit snugly and be rated for your child’s weight.⁶

6. Lock Up Pools and Hot Tubs

Backyard pools should be fenced on all four sides with a self-latching gate. Studies show that proper fencing can reduce drowning risk by up to 83%.⁷ Hot tubs should be covered and locked when not in use—and completely off-limits to small children unless supervised.

7. Learn CPR

Knowing CPR can make all the difference in an emergency. Bystander CPR has been shown to significantly improve survival rates in drowning incidents.⁸ Consider taking a class or finding a free online course designed for parents and caregivers

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Unintentional Drowning: Get the Facts. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/drowning/facts/index.html

2. American Academy of Pediatrics. (2021). Prevention of Drowning. Pediatrics, 147(1), e2021051108.

3. Qin, X., et al. (2020). Infant drowning in bathtubs: Trends and prevention strategies. Injury Epidemiology, 7(1), 8.

4. Brenner, R. A., et al. (2021). Swim lessons and drowning prevention. American Academy of Pediatrics.

5. Safe Kids Worldwide. (2023). Water Safety Tips for Parents.

6. U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Division. (2020). Life Jacket Requirements and Recommendations.

7. Thompson, D. C., & Rivara, F. P. (2020). Pool fencing for preventing drowning in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

8. Szpilman, D., et al. (2021). Drowning: Prevention, rescue, treatment, and resuscitation. New England Journal of Medicine, 384, 1541–1550.