(HealthDay News) -- Drowning is the fifth-leading cause of unintentional death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC offers these suggestions to help reduce the risk of drowning:
- Adults should always carefully supervise children around any body of water -- including a bathtub. Avoid any distractions, such as reading or talking on the phone.
- Everyone should always swim with a buddy.
- Everyone should take formal swimming lessons, especially young children.
- Anyone with a seizure disorder should be carefully supervised around water.
- Always wear a life jacket when on a boat.
- Always build a barrier around pools to protect children, even if they know how to swim.
- Don't substitute water toys for life jackets.
- Never drink alcohol while boating, swimming or supervising children in the water.
- Never let children hold their breath for an extended period under water.
