Life Jackets And Pool Fences Could Save Hundreds Of Lives Annually, CDC Study Says

Posted on May 19, 2025

CBS News (5/16) reported a study from CDC researchers found that “hundreds of lives could be saved each year by broader use of life jackets and more fences around swimming pools.” The CDC’s modeling found that “out of 4,509 drowning deaths reported in 2022...51 likely could have been prevented by better pool fencing, and 297 could have been prevented by victims wearing a life jacket during a boating accident. That adds up to thousands of dollars in medical spending and an economic cost to the country of $4.5 billion, the CDC researchers estimated.” Researchers concluded, “Increased adherence to adequate pool fencing and always wearing a life jacket while boating could avert a substantial number of deaths and enormous economic cost each year in the USA.” The study was published in the Injury Prevention Journal.

AAP News: CDC: Drowning deaths among young children rise; disparities persist