Chicago, IL – With summer nearing and families preparing for outdoor fun, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is urging caregivers to stay vigilant around water as part of Childhood Drowning Prevention Month.
A total of 19 Illinois children died in 2024 due to accidental drownings, including incidents in pools, lakes, rivers, ponds, and even bathtubs. Nine of the victims were 5 years old or younger. Officials stress that these tragedies often occur quickly and silently—sometimes in as little as one inch of water.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 and the second leading cause for children ages 5 to 14. The CDC reports a 28% increase in drowning deaths between 2019 and 2022.
“Children are easily attracted to water,” said DCFS Director Heidi E. Mueller. “Even turning away for a moment to check a phone or tend to another child can have dire consequences. Drownings don’t always involve splashing or yelling.”
The DCFS issued several practical safety tips, including never leaving children unattended in bathtubs, securing toilet lids, and keeping buckets and portable pools emptied and stored out of reach. For larger water features, officials recommend four-sided fencing with self-latching gates, removing nearby furniture that could be climbed, and learning CPR.
In natural environments such as ponds and rivers, parents are advised to be aware of neighborhood hazards and check these areas immediately if a child goes missing.
DCFS encourages families to access water safety resources at dcfs.illinois.gov and reminds the public of the importance of reporting suspected child neglect or abuse.
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