06/15/2026
Drowning is the second leading cause of preventable injury death for children under 14, and most tragedies happen closer to home than you might think. In Utah, 70% of drowning deaths occur between May and August, with many happening in lakes, rivers, pools, and even bathtubs.
“Most child drownings happen when an adult is present but not paying attention,” says Karlee Kump, Community Health Manager at Primary Children’s Hospital. “Attention is the best prevention.”
✅ Always actively supervise children around water
✅ Assign a distraction‑free “water watcher”
✅ Use Coast Guard‑approved life jackets in lakes and reservoirs
✅ Never leave a child alone in the bathtub, even for a second
A few small steps can save a life. Learn more ways to keep your family safe around water at IntermountainHealth.org/childsafety.