Six children under the age of 5 died in swimming pool drownings in Virginia: VDH

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia has seen a noticeable rise in drownings in children under 5 years old in swimming pools, with six children dying since Memorial Day, according to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).

According to a release shared by the department on Thursday, June 26, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has confirmed that six children under the age of 5 died in swimming pool drownings in the Commonwealth since Memorial Day. As a result, health officials are urging parents and caregivers to take precautions to keep children safe near pools this summer.

As the summer season just started, VDH said, "These six drowning fatalities exceed Virginia’s total for the number of fatalities for young children for each of the last three years."

“We join with the families and communities grieving the loss of these young lives,” said State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton, MD. “These numbers are heartbreaking. Swimming and playing in pools can be fun, particularly on blistering hot days, but pools can also be dangerous. Families should take caution in and around pools. Children in pools should be supervised at all times, and pools should be gated and secured to prevent access when supervision is not available. Please consider enrolling children in swimming lessons. We want to do everything we can to prevent any more lives lost.”

Virginia had nine pool drownings in children under the age of 5 in the last three years -- three in 2024, two in 2023 and four in 2022, according to the release.

For children aged 1 to 4, drownings are the leading cause of death in children.

VDH offered tips to parents and caregivers to help keep children safe in and around pools:

• Active supervision: Never leave a child alone near a pool/spa, bathtub, toilet, or standing body of water. When supervising children who are near the water, adults should be free from distractions.
• Swim lessons: Teach children basic swimming and water safety skills. Swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning. Children, even those who’ve had swimming lessons, still need close and constant supervision in or around water.
• Learn CPR: Bystander-initiated CPR can make the difference in someone’s life while waiting for paramedics to arrive.
• Approved safety devices: Floaties, water wings, pool noodles and inner tubes are toys. These air-filled or foam toys are not designed to keep swimmers safe. Only use S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
• Barriers and alarms: Install barriers and alarms to prevent children from gaining access to a pool or open water unsupervised.
• Avoid swimming after dark: Swimming after dark makes it hard to see if someone is drowning.
• Listen to the lifeguard: Make sure to listen to any directions from the lifeguard and follow all advisories. But remember a lifeguard does not replace the need for active supervision of any children in and around the water.

Survival swim lessons teach self-rescue to toddlers

The news comes after multiple drowning incidents in the Central Virginia area. At least two children in the Central Virginia area have died -- a toddler died in Henrico County, and another child had to be given "life-saving measures" in Chesterfield County.

Both of these incidents occurred within the span of a week this June.

VDH also says that between 2020 and 2024, nearly 500 people accidentally drowned in Virginia; a fifth of them were under the age of 19, per the release from the department.

For more information, read VDH's official press release by clicking here.