Parent education for drowning prevention.

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in infants and children in 10 states, and near drowning accounts for more than 10 times as many accidents. Children aged 1 to 4 years are at the highest risk of drowning in residential swimming pools. Education of parents is a key variable in drowning prevention. Knowledge about water safety is centered around three important concepts: (a) supervision, (b) barriers, and (c) emergency procedures. The pediatric nurse plays an invaluable role in educating parents about these concepts and in increasing parents' awareness of safety risks.