Keeping Kentuckians safe on the water this summer
Kentucky is home to more navigable miles of water than any state except Alaska. From lakes and rivers to creeks and swimming pools, water recreation is a big part of everyday life across the Commonwealth, especially in the summer. However, a newly released safety brief, Injury Prevention: Unintentional Drowning, from the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center (KIPRC) shows that drowning remains a serious yet preventable problem.
From 2016 to 2024, 484 Kentuckians died from unintentional drowning, and 821 emergency department (ED) visits were due to unintentional drowning‑related injuries. The safety brief explains that drowning can happen in seconds and is often silent.
Ashley Bush, program coordinator and co‑author of the safety brief, said the numbers illustrate how frequently these incidents occur.
“One Kentucky resident died every eight days by drowning, and two drowning‑related emergency department visits occurred every eight days from 2016–2024,” she said, noting that most victims were male.
Age also plays a role as adults aged 65 and older had the highest number of drowning deaths. Children under age five had the highest number of drowning‑related ED visits.
“Among older kids and adults, more drownings occur in natural, open waters than in swimming pools,” Dr. Bush said. “While younger children are more likely to drown in bathtubs and swimming pools.”
Kentucky’s geography contributes to these patterns.
Natural bodies of water, such as creeks, ponds, rivers, and lakes, were involved in 34% of drowning deaths. Watercraft, including boats and kayaks, were involved in another 12%.
Emergency department data show a similar trend.
About 34% of drowning‑related ED visits involved open waters, while more than 20% were related to swimming pools. The swimming pool-related drownings were due to falling in, jumping or diving, etc.
Dr. Bush explained that drowning is often called a “silent killer” because people who are drowning usually cannot yell for help because they are trying to stay above water. She added that drowning can happen at any time of year, not just in summer.
As families head outdoors, Dr. Bush shared several simple steps that can help prevent drowning:
- Learn to swim through local programs or community events. Families in Central Kentucky, for example, can explore swim lessons through the YMCA of Central Kentucky, and Lexington Parks and Recreation offers additional programs. Many communities across the state provide free or low‑cost water safety events, such as Central Kentucky Swims.
- Watch children at all times when they are in or near water. Kentucky loses more than seven children under age five to drowning each year, and about 40 young children visit emergency departments annually for drowning injuries. “Think before you run across the house to grab a diaper or do a quick chore while your child is in the tub,” Dr. Bush said. “Drowning happens fast; it takes only seconds.”
- Use U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jackets when boating, kayaking, or swimming in lakes, rivers, or ponds. A guide to USCG-approved life jackets can be found at https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/life-jacket-wear-wearing-your-life-jacket.php.
- Swim in areas with lifeguards and avoid swimming alone.
- Check weather and water conditions before entering open water.
- Fence pools, ponds, and hot tubs to prevent unsupervised access.
For more information on drowning trends and prevention strategies, the full brief can be found on the KIPRC website at https://kiprc.uky.edu/sites/default/files/2026-05/drowning-prevention-brief-2016-2024_acc.pdf.
Injury Prevention: Unintentional Drowning is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of cooperative agreement 5NU17CE010064 totaling $1,250,000 with 0% financed with nongovernmental sources and by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) as part of cooperative agreement PON2 728 2200003056. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CHFS, CDC, HHS, or the U.S. government.