Drownings for children under 5, expected to surpass 11-year average

More children under five years old have drowned this year in Maricopa and Pinal counties than last year, with child drownings in Phoenix doubled.

The first half of 2024 has seen 13 drownings for children under the age of five, known as pediatric drownings, according to Children's Safety Zone, which monitors drowning incidents.

In 2023, Maricopa and Pinal counties saw 12 pediatric drownings, and 57 drownings among all age groups.

The number of pediatric drownings in the first seven months of 2024 are projected to surpass the average number of drownings in the last 11 years, which sits at 13.

In Phoenix, pediatric drownings have doubled from the previous year, with four deaths in 2023 and eight deaths in 2024.

Water Safety:Do you plan to spend time at the pool or lake? What to know

Where did the drownings occur?

In 2024, the City of Phoenix has experienced a majority of pediatric drownings around the Valley. Here's a breakdown of where the incidents happened:

• Phoenix: 8
• Avondale: 2
• Glendale: 1
• Mesa: 1
• Peoria: 1

How to keep your child safe in the pool

Phoenix Fire officials provided some tips on how to keep children safe near the water:

• Install an approved barrier to separate a pool from the rest of the residence.
• Maintain lifesaving devices like a hook, pole or floatation device nearby.
• Never leave children unattended around water or a pool.
• Take steps to ensure an enclosed pool cannot be accessed with chairs, tables or ladders.
• Do not allow children to play in the pool area.
• Store toys far away from any water.

Keeping a barrier around a pool is an important factor for child safety. Homeowners within the City of Phoenix are required to have a fence or wall around the pool that is at least five feet tall and self-latching, with some pools requiring an interior barrier as well.