2 Child Drowning Deaths In Riverside County Spark Advisory

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The separate drowning deaths this month of two young children in Riverside County have prompted an advisory from health officials.

A 4-year-old western Riverside County boy, whose identity was not released, was found unresponsive in a community spa and died Monday at a local hospital, according to Riverside County Public Health. The circumstances and location of the drowning were not released.

The tragedy marks the second fatal pediatric drowning this year. A 5-year-old child who was not a Riverside County resident drowned on July 6 in a backyard pool in Riverside, the health agency said.

Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Geoffrey Leung said the drownings serve as a reminder of how important it is to be careful when around water.

"From a bathtub to a hotel pool or the ocean, all water poses a risk, especially for children," he said. "Providing close, constant supervision is the only way to ensure they are safe."

Leung provided the following recommendations to help prevent drowning incidents:

Designate a water watcher: If children are in or around water, a capable adult should always maintain close, constant attention.

Take swim lessons: Enroll in swim lessons or survival float classes. First 5 Riverside County partners with several organizations across the region to offer free or low-cost swimming lessons.

Read the rules: Pay attention to posted signs and follow the rules of the pool.

Use the buddy system: Always swim with someone else, regardless of age or skill.

Get CPR certified: CPR saves lives. Getting certified through the American Red Cross is low-cost, easy and available to ages 9 years and older.

Stay sober: Avoid consuming alcohol and other substances when in and around water.

Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death among children under 4 years of age, and seniors over 65 years old have the second-highest rate of drowning fatalities, according to county health officials.

In 2024, there have been 55 drowning incident reports in Riverside County with eight adult fatalities, county figures show.

"Drowning is often silent. Rarely is there splashing, screaming, or calls for help," Leung said. "All drownings are preventable by adopting essential safety measures when around any type of water."

To increase awareness on how to prevent accidental drownings, Riverside University Health System-Public Health this week launched "Water Safety Wednesday," a social media campaign on Facebook and Instagram featuring water safety tips, classes and programs to ensure residents stay safe this summer.

For more information and resources, visit the Riverside County Water Safety Coalition website at www.ruhealth.org/rivcowatersafety.