Arizona Child Drownings Rose in 2024: How to Protect Kids

What happened

Each year the Arizona Department of Health Services’ Child Fatality Review Program studies every child death in the state. Its 32nd annual report, released November 15, 2025, covers deaths in 2024. It is the most recent statewide review, and its drowning findings are worth a careful read for anyone with a pool.

The review counted 36 child drowning deaths in Arizona in 2024, and the panel judged all of them preventable. The drowning death rate rose about 16% from 2023, to 2.2 per 100,000 children. Three out of four deaths (27 of 36) happened in a pool, hot tub or spa, and three out of four involved children under five.

The report also looked at what went wrong. The most common risk factors were a child who could not swim (83%), a lack of supervision (81%) and a lack of a pool barrier (75%). Where a barrier was part of the story, fences and doors were the weak points most often. Many cases involved no fence at all, and the report also noted broken locks and pet doors.

What this means for your pool

The report’s recommendations match how we approach every job: drowning prevention works best in layers.

• A real barrier on all four sides. The report recommends a barrier at least 5 feet tall, set back from the water, with a self-closing, self-latching gate that swings away from the pool. That matches Arizona’s 5-foot state standard. Check that nothing near the fence, like a planter, chair or equipment, gives a child a step up.
• Doors and pet doors count. If your house forms one side of the pool area, the doors and windows facing the pool need protection such as high self-latching hardware or alarms. A pet door into the pool area is a gap in the barrier.
• Fix what breaks. A gate that no longer latches on its own, or a lock that sticks, should be repaired right away.
• Supervision, swim lessons and CPR. A barrier buys time. A designated adult watching the water, swim lessons for kids and CPR training for adults fill in the rest.

A 10-minute barrier check for Tucson homes

Most Tucson-area backyards use masonry block walls and the back of the house as the pool barrier. A wall that looks tall from the patio can still have weak spots. Walk the barrier from the outside, the side a child would come from, and check:

1. Height everywhere. At least 5 feet, measured from the ground on the outside. Walls often come up short where the yard slopes, at corners and next to gate posts.
2. Nothing to climb. Look for decorative cutouts, ledges, wide caps and anything stacked against the wall: planters, firewood, trash cans, AC units, rocks or pool equipment.
3. Gaps. Check under gates and between gates and posts. A small child can fit through a surprisingly small opening.
4. Gates. Open each gate and let go. It should swing shut and latch on its own every time, from any position. Gates should open outward, away from the pool, with the latch high enough that a small child cannot reach it.
5. The house wall. Doors and windows that open onto the pool area need protection, such as self-closing, self-latching hardware mounted high, or door alarms. Pet doors into the pool area are a gap in the barrier.
6. Things that changed. A new deck, raised planter, kitchen island or shade structure can change the grade or create a step near the wall. Re-check after any backyard project.

Fix anything you find before summer, and re-check gates every few months. Hinges and latches wear out in the heat.

Layers that work together

The report’s risk factors show why no single layer is enough:

• Supervision. At gatherings, name one adult as the “water watcher” for a set time, with no phone, then hand off to the next adult. Crowded pool parties are when it is easiest to assume someone else is watching.
• Swim lessons. Lessons lower the risk but do not make a child drown-proof. The City of Tucson runs swim lessons at its public pools, and many private programs teach young children as well.
• CPR. Adults who know CPR can make the difference while help is on the way. Local hospitals, fire departments and the American Red Cross offer classes.
• Clear the pool area. Take toys out of the water when swim time ends so they do not tempt a child back to the edge.
• Covers and alarms. A safety cover or a pool or gate alarm adds another layer, especially for families with toddlers. Since July 2026, City of Tucson permits also require a cover on new and remodeled pools; see our story on the 2024 pool code and cover requirement.

What we’re doing

We build every pool barrier to at least 5 feet, and we plan gates, gate swings and the house wall into the design before anything is drawn for permit. Our guide to Arizona pool barrier and fence rules covers each local code, and our block walls and pool fences page shows how a safe barrier can still look good. If you have questions about the barrier for a new pool, call us at (520) 342-8335.

Source: Arizona Department of Health Services, Child Fatality Review Program

Put this story to work

Planning your own project? See our Block Walls & Pool Barrier Walls in Tucson.

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This is our summary and commentary. Read the original story at Arizona Department of Health Services, Child Fatality Review Program.