World Drowning Prevention Day is a holiday observed annually to raise public awareness about drowning. Around the world, approximately 236,000+ people drown, making it a significant public health problem.

It is one of the leading causes of death for children and young people aged 1-24 years old and is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death overall. However, some communities suffer even more losses due to drowning.

Over 90% of drowning deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. That’s why it’s important for everyone to get involved, and we can all start by spreading the word about this holiday, which is observed annually on July 25th.

The History of World Drowning Prevention Day

This holiday has not been around for a long time. It was created in April 2021 by the United Nations General Assembly. The UN created this holiday to highlight the devastating effects that drowning has on families and communities around the world.

Almost a quarter of a million people die every year from drowning, so it’s a problem that should be tackled not only on a local level but also on a regional and global level.

Some Important Facts About Drowning

Let’s take a look at some of the facts and statistics we picked up about drowning while researching World Drowning Prevention Day. We feel that the following facts will shed light on the problem of drowning in the world and help to highlight the importance of this holiday.

• In the U.S., there are over 4,000 fatal drownings. That’s an average of 11 drownings per day.
• In the U.S., there are over 8,000 nonfatal drownings. That’s an average of 22 per day.
• For every child who fatally drowns in the U.S., another seven receive emergency department care for nonfatal drowning.
• Drowning injuries can cause long-term disabilities, such as brain and lung damage.
• Approximately 80% of people who die from drowning in the U.S. are male.
• Not wearing life jackets, not knowing how to swim, and lack of close supervision of children are just some of the reasons why people drown.

Observing World Drowning Prevention Day

On this holiday, as well as throughout the rest of the year, people can take the time to spread awareness about water safety. They can also spread the word about this holiday using the hashtag #WorldDrowningPreventionDay on social media.

It’s also a good day for people who don’t know how to swim to learn and for parents to teach their children how to swim.