NORTH LAS VEGAS -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in four fatal drowning victims are 14 and younger, and even in cases where a child survives a near drowning, the effects can lead to devastating brain damage. In most preventable drowning cases, the most common risk factor is the lack of barriers and adult supervision. Children under one year often drown in buckets, toilets and bathtubs when a parent is not around. Older children are at risk near pools that lack fencing or nets designed to support them if they fall in. The CDC offers this list of recommendations to prevent water injuries and drowning:

• Designate a responsible adult to watch young children while in the bath and all children swimming or playing in or around water. Adults should not be involved in any other distracting activity (such as reading, playing cards, talking on the phone, or mowing the lawn) while supervising children.

• Always swim with a buddy. Select swimming sites that have lifeguards whenever possible.

• Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, boating, or water skiing. Do not drink alcohol while supervising children.

• Learn to swim. Be aware that the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend swimming classes as the primary means of drowning prevention for children younger than 4. Constant, careful supervision and barriers such as pool fencing are necessary even when children have completed swimming classes.

• Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In the time it might take for paramedics to arrive, your CPR skills could make a difference in someone’s life. CPR performed by bystanders has been shown to improve outcomes in drowning victims.

• Do not use air-filled or foam toys, such as “water wings”, “noodles”, or inner-tubes, in place of life jackets (personal flotation devices). These toys are not designed to keep swimmers safe.

To see the complete fact list provided at the CDC Web site, click here.