World Drowning Prevention Day highlight the cause of over 2.5 million preventable deaths in the past decade of drowning people and offer life-saving solutions to prevent it. An estimated 235,600 people drown every year, and drowning is among the ten leading causes of death for children aged 5-14 years. More than 90% of drowning deaths occur in rivers, lakes, wells, domestic water storage vessels and swimming pools in low- and middle-income countries, with children and adolescents in rural areas disproportionately affected.By highlighting the need for urgent action on proven measures such as:• Installing barriers controlling access to water• Providing safe places away from water such as crèches for pre-school children with capable childcare• Teaching swimming, water safety and safe rescue skills• Training bystanders in safe rescue and resuscitation• Setting and enforcing safe boating, shipping and ferry regulations• Improving flood risk management.
