As summer swim season begins, the City of Goleta encourages parents, caregivers, and childcare providers to take simple steps to help keep children safe in and around water. Summer means more time spent around pools and water, making supervision and preparation especially important.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently released its annual drowning and submersion report, reaffirming that simple safety practices can help prevent drownings and save lives.

CPSC’s latest data for children younger than age 15 shows:

• In 2023, there were 379 fatal child drownings nationwide, a six percent increase from the 359 fatal drownings reported the previous year.
• Between 2021 and 2023, more than 70 percent of fatal drownings occurred in residential settings, including the victim’s home, the home of a family member, friend or acquaintance, or a neighbor’s residence.
• Between 2023 and 2025, there was an estimated annual average of 5,900 pool- or spa-related, hospital emergency department-treated nonfatal drowning injuries each year.

As CPSC’s Pool Safely public education campaign marks its 15th year, families and childcare providers are encouraged to supervise, secure, and prepare when children are around water.

Supervise

• Always designate a Water Watcher and never leave a child unattended in or near water.
• The designated Water Watcher should avoid distractions such as reading, texting, or using a phone.
• Maintain active sight and sound supervision whenever children are near pools, spas, fountains, ponds, bathtubs, buckets, or other water features.
• Childcare providers should ensure staff understand emergency procedures and that emergency phone numbers are readily accessible.

Secure

• Keep swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, ponds, fountains, and other water features inaccessible to children unless directly supervised.
• Install and maintain pool barriers and fences in good repair.
• Use self-closing and self-latching gates and keep gates closed and locked when pool areas are not in use.
• Remove furniture, toys, or other objects near fences that could be used for climbing.
• Consider additional safeguards such as door alarms and pool covers.

Prepare

• Inspect pool and water areas before children arrive or before activities begin.
• Confirm fences, gates, and latches are functioning properly.
• Check that pool covers and safety equipment are in good condition.
• Identify and secure any water hazards on the property.
• Learn CPR and encourage staff and caregivers to maintain emergency preparedness.
• Enroll children in age-appropriate swim lessons when possible.
• Keep children away from pool drains, pipes, and other openings.
• Ensure pools and spas have drain covers that comply with federal safety standards.

Whether at home, at a childcare program, or visiting friends and neighbors, a few simple precautions can make a meaningful difference in helping children stay safer around water.

Learn more and read CPSC’s recent drowning and entrapment reports at PoolSafely.gov.