Correlation of Pool Drowning Deaths with Number of Residential Swimming Pools by County in Florida, 2005-2007

Abstract

Drowning in residential swimming pools is a significant public health problem in Florida. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the number of pools and pool drowning deaths by county in Florida. County property appraisers’ offices were surveyed to obtain a statewide census of appraised residential pools. The number of pool drowning deaths was obtained from death certificate records. Approximately 1.1 million residential pools were appraised in 2006, and 262 unintentional, confirmed pool drowning deaths occurred from 2005 through 2007. Statistical modeling showed that for every 10,000 residential pools that a county has, 2.4 additional pool drowning deaths can be expected to occur over three years. This relationship was therefore determined to be linearly correlated. Greater public health impact may be achieved by focusing drowning prevention efforts, especially among young children, in counties with more residential pools, and thus a greater risk of pool drowning. Drowning is a perennial and endemic problem of public health significance in Florida. Every year, more people drown in Florida than in any other state except California. Florida also has the highest rate of children ages one to four who drown (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, 1999–2006). While both natural and human-made bodies of water are abundant in Florida and both pose drowning hazards, single-family residential swimming pools are a particular problem. Out of 245 unintentional (accidental) pool drowning deaths of older children and adults ages five and above in Florida from 2005 through 2007, 136 (55.5%) drowned in a confirmed, single-family residential swimming pool; 25 (10.2%) drowned in a public or private community pool; 21 (8.6%) drowned in a pool at a hotel or motel; 19 (7.8%) drowned in a pool at a condominium; 16 (6.5%) drowned in a pool at an apartment complex; two (0.8%) drowned in an above-ground pool at home; and one (0.4%) drowned in a pool at a duplex residence (Florida vital statistics: Death certificate file, 2005–2007 ; Florida Department of Revenue, 2006). The remaining 25 (10.2%) drowned in a swimming pool where either its given residential street address could not be confirmed, or