Alabama Ranks 6th for Child Drowning Deaths Nationwide
By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/ Gulf Coast News
May 18, 2026
BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. May is Water Safety Month, and it brings awareness to everyone how quickly a life can be lost in many bodies of water starting with your backyard swimming pool, to the vast oceans of our country.
Sadly, Alabama ranks among the highest in the nation for child drowning deaths, including as high as sixth place according to data on child drowning incidents.
These statistics continue to grow even with nationwide enhanced training and standardized water safety rules and the community organizations like the American Red Cross who promote water safety.
Here along the Alabama Gulf Coast with many inland lakes and rivers and the Gulf waters, we tragically see several drownings each year.
Along Alabama’s Gulf Coast we have frequent undertows and powerful, unpredictable rip currents.
An undertow is a natural, subsurface current that pulls water back toward the sea after waves break on the shore. While it creates a strong, temporary surge that can drag your feet and pull you down the beach, it generally does not drag swimmers far out to sea.
We also have deceptive sandbars that people may walk on and then they suddenly disappear leaving people treading water or going under the water.
At least 10 people die every day in the United States from drowning, according to the American Red Cross. The CDC says drowning is the leading cause of death for children under the age of four.
Nationwide, hundreds if not thousands of “near drownings” occur. These occur when a person goes under water and are rescued. Many need to be resuscitated and even hospitalized.
Had a good Samaritan or a trained professional not been close by, these would have resulted in a fatal drowning.
“At least one person needs to be aware of each child,” Jeff Colton, a lifeguard and swim instructor said. “It’s very important to keep your eyes on the children in the water no matter what.”
Home pools are dangerous for young children, and it’s recommended that the pool no matter its size be protected by secure gates, pool alarms and U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets or floatation devices around the water. Parents should also talk with children early about how to safely exit a pool and what to do if they need help.
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