Swimming in a natural area poses risks

With the summer months upon us, days at the beach or swimming in the pool provide a welcome relief to the heat and family fun. But swimming in a natural body of water or pool, or enjoying the day on a boat can be risky. About half of all drownings occur in natural water settings. Drowning occurs in all age groups and all ethnicities but drowning kills more children 1-4 years of age than anything else except birth defects. Among children 1-14, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death (after motor vehicle crashes). Children 1-4 most often drown in swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas. Older children, teens and young adults typically drown in natural water settings, such as lakes and rivers.