PARTNERS FOR CHILDHOOD DROWNING PREVENTION
Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury death among young children in the U.S., California, and Orange County. For every child drowning fatality, 15 survive. However, many of the children who survive experience lifelong disabilities that range from mild to severe. As pediatricians caring for these children, we know that the tragic loss of a child from drowning is preventable. One more drowning is one too many!
Partners for Childhood Drowning Prevention is a partnership of healthcare professionals, community-based organizations, academic institutions, parents and policy advocates promoting the reduction of fatal and nonfatal drowning.
Drowning Prevention Strategies:
(Click on the each graphic for a downloadable PDF to share and post):
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Click here to review the “Partners for Childhood Drowning Prevention 2023-2024” report.
Click here to view the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Drowning Prevention Technical Report.
Rx for Water Safety Flyer (English version)
Rx for Water Safety Flyer (Spanish version)
2026 Water Safety for Families PowerPoint Presentation
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Drowning Prevention Policy Statement
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Drowning Prevention Campaign Toolkit
Meow Meow Foundation
The California State Assembly has proclaimed that the third week in May is “Roxie’s Wish: Drowning Prevention Week for Children,” in order to encourage counties, cities and school districts to support national goals relating to drowning prevention. This initiative is in honor of Roxie Mirabelle Forbes who suffered a preventable drowning at a recreational summer camp. Roxie’s parents, Doug Forbes and Elena Matyas, established the Meow Meow Foundation to eliminate preventable childhood drowning and camp-related injuries, deaths and abuse.