Drowning ranks fifth among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States and is second only to birth defects as the leading killer of children between one and four years of age. About ten people die every day from unintentional drowning. Of these, two are children 14 or younger. Most drowning deaths are predictable and preventable.
Drowning happens quickly – learn how to reduce your risk, is a new CDC web feature designed to raise awareness about water safety and highlight steps proven to prevent drowning injuries and deaths.
Also available from CDC is a new MMWR report, Drowning in the United States, 2005–2009, which provides data from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) and the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System – All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP) about deaths and emergency department visits caused by drowning.
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