A groundbreaking prevention campaign focused on parental supervision of young children

Every summer, children under the age of 6 account for a quarter of accidental drownings. Inadequate supervision is the leading cause of drowning in this age group. These findings underscore the need to continue efforts to prevent drowning among young people and to remind the public of the importance of constant, close supervision of children while swimming.

The Ministries of Health and Sports, in partnership with the National Consumer Institute (INC), are launching a new drowning prevention campaign on May 17, 2023, focused on the right steps to take for effective supervision of children while swimming, under the slogan “You care about them—don’t take your eyes off them!”

This campaign includes a dedicated episode of “ConsoMag,” scheduled to air on France Télévisions channels, as well as a series of three powerful testimonials from parents who have lost a child to drowning. The campaign will also be promoted on social media and institutional websites.

A new system for epidemiological surveillance of summer drownings

Since 2002, Santé publique France has conducted surveys every three years during the summer to document the circumstances of drowning incidents. At the request of the Minister of Health and Prevention and the Minister of Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, a new epidemiological surveillance system for drowning will be implemented starting in the summer of 2023. Previously conducted every three years, the new surveillance system is shifting to annual monitoring with the goal of producing performance indicators to guide tailored prevention efforts during the summer season.

From June 1 to September 30, data on the total number of accidental drownings and those resulting in death will be collected throughout mainland France and in the overseas departments and regions (DROM). This new system is being implemented by Santé Publique France and the “National System for Monitoring Water Sports Safety” (SNOSAN), which is affiliated with the National School of Sailing and Water Sports (ENVSN).