Drowning is the third leading cause of accidental death of children. Most drowning and near drowning happens when a child accidentally falls into a pool or is left alone in the tub. Drowning can happen in a matter of seconds. A child can drown in the time it takes to answer the phone. As with other unintentional injuries to children drownings are entirely preventable never leave a young child alone or with a sibling in the tub...not even to answer the phone or to get a towel. If you must leave, take the child with you.

Always watch your child by the pool, spa, beach, or lake. Beware of backyard pools and spas in the neighborhood. Your child could wander off and accidentally fall in.
Install a poolside telephone.
Enroll children over age 3 in swimming lessons taught by qualified instructors. But keep in mind that lessons don't make your child "drown-proof."
Never let older children swim in unsupervised areas like quarries, canals, or ponds. Older kids are at risk of drowning when they overestimate their ability or underestimate how deep the water is.
Install a four-sided fence around your pool or spa. The house should not be used as one of the four sides. The fence should be five feet high and have a self-closing and self-latching gate.
Never leave 5-gallon buckets (even with a small amount of liquid) in an area accessible to children.  Infants and toddlers are top-heavy and may be unable to remove themselves if they were to fall in.
Enroll in CPR classes in your community. The life you save may be your child's life. Click here for class information.

Become a Designated Child Water Watcher
Tucson’s Designated Child Watcher Program is a collaborative effort between Tucson Fire Department, Patio Pools, and local Whataburger restauraunts. A Child Water Watcher tag with a whistle attached is worn by a designated adult in order to help identify who is taking responsibility for children around water. The Child Watcher agrees to focus ALL of their attention on the safety of the children and does not leave the area for ANY reason.  This responsibility ends only when the whistle is passed to the next adult or the water activity ends.

How do I become a Child Watcher?
If you would like to become a Designated Child Watcher, please call the Tucson Fire Department Public Education Department at (520) 791-5515.

Water Safety For Older Children
The best drowning prevention for younger children involves focused and constant adult supervision whenever children are in or near water.  It is also important to ensure the safety of older children when swimming with these 4 Key Rules:

Swim with a buddy, never alone.    
Don't dive or jump into the water. Always wade in first to avoid hitting your head on a shallow bottom.   
Don't push or jump on others.  
Teach older children to be prepared for an emergency by knowing how to dial 911.