Drowning Drowning is the fourth leading cause of accidental death. Each year, over 4,000 people drown and about one-third of them are children under 14 years of age. It takes very little water for a child to drown. In fact, as little as two inches of water in a bathtub, sink or shower can kill a toddler.
Toilet bowls are unsafe, too, if a small child falls into one head first.
Adults drown under different conditions. When the weather is hot, for example, adults are tempted to cool off with alcoholic beverages while swimming and boating. This is not a good idea. Alcohol interferes with good judgment and is a major factor in adult drownings. Causes of Drowning Leg or stomach cramps Loss of consciousness Playing in water too deep and too rough for one's ability to swim Falling in deep water such as drainage ditches or any area that collects rain water Not knowing how to swim Stroke Heart attack Breaking through thin ice Falling through the ice while fishing, skating or snow mobiling during the winter Not wearing a life preserver Prevention A child could drown or get seriously injured in the seconds it takes to answer a phone or go to the door.