World Drowning Prevention Day: Keeping Children Safe Around Water
Led by The World Health Organization (WHO), World Drowning Prevention Day (July 25, 2026) is recognized as a way to encourage water safety and limit drownings, which claim the lives of 300,000 children around the world on a yearly basis. This year’s theme is “United to Turn the Tide,” as drowning is a top-10 cause of death for children between the ages of 5 and 14.
On its website, The World Health Organization provides an example of how a proactive approach can significantly lower the risk of drowning. In 2006, drowning was the leading cause of death in Thailand for children 15 years old and under, with about 1500 kids drowing each year. However, the country dedicated itself to making a change, through the installation of fences and barries near any water, by providing swim lessons to kids and by offering CPR certification to adults. By 2022, drowning deaths in the nation were down 57%.
A two-time Olympian (2012/2016), Cammile Adams owns and operates a pair of swim schools in Texas. Adams oversees SafeSplash Swim School in Bridgeland and SafeSplash/SwimLabs Katy West? As a mother, she also emphasizes six key habits to promote water safety with her kids. Adams always abides by the following rules:
- Kids ask permission before entering any water.
- One dedicated “Water Watcher”; no phones, no exceptions.
- Barriers and rescue equipment get checked on a schedule, not just when something feels off.
- Confidence in the water isn’t the same as ability.
- She gets in the water with them, every time she can.
- Lessons start as early as 4 months old, because “ready” isn’t a specific age.
“A lot of people think that because I swam at the Olympics, I don’t have to worry about my own kids around the water,” Adams said. “Honestly, it’s the opposite. If anything, I pay even closer attention because I know just how quickly things can change.
“One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking a child who looks confident in the water is actually water safe. Those aren’t the same thing, and that gap is where accidents can happen.
“That’s why I’m so passionate about what we do at SafeSplash. We aren’t just teaching kids how to swim from point A to point B. We are giving them the skills to stay calm, make smart decisions, and get themselves to safety if they ever find themselves in trouble.”