Media Tip Sheet: Drowning is the Leading Cause of Deaths of Kids Ages 1-4


June 16, 2025

As summer break gets underway, it’s important to remember about water safety. 

Drowning is the number one cause of death for children one to four years old in the United States, according to the CDC.

Data from the CDC shows an estimated 4,000 unintentional drownings happen each year.

George Washington University has experts available who can offer insight on who is most at risk of drowning and precautions to take. If you would like to schedule an interview, please contact Katelyn Deckelbaum, katelyn [dot] deckelbaumatgwu [dot] edu (katelyn[dot]deckelbaum[at]gwu[dot]edu).

Monika Goyal is an associate professor of pediatrics at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Ashley Darcy-Mahoney is a dedicated neonatal nurse practitioner, researcher, and educator. Throughout her career, she has been at the forefront of advancing nursing research, education, and practice, with a specific focus on neonatology, infant health, and developmental pediatrics.

Jennifer Walsh is a clinical assistant professor in the GW School of Nursing and primarily teaches pediatrics and health assessment, while also teaching various labs and clinicals.

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