CPSC Offers $4M in Grants to Combat Rise in Child Drownings

WASHINGTON, DC – May 22, 2026 – As communities across the nation prepare for the summer swim season, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced a critical lifeline in the fight against a silent epidemic: child drowning. The federal agency is making up to $4 million in grant funding available to state, local, and tribal governments to strengthen pool and spa safety, directly targeting the leading cause of death for children between the ages of one and four.

The announcement comes at a pivotal moment. After years of decline, recent data reveals a disturbing upward trend in pediatric drowning fatalities since 2020, underscoring the urgent need for renewed focus and resources. The grants, ranging from $50,000 to $400,000 per jurisdiction, are designed to empower communities to enforce safety laws and expand educational outreach.

"Drowning deaths are preventable and strong protections around pools and spas are critical to saving lives," said CPSC Acting Chairman Peter A. Feldman in a statement announcing the program. "These grants help communities to strengthen those protections, and I encourage all eligible jurisdictions to apply."

The Unseen Public Health Crisis

The statistics surrounding child drowning paint a grim picture. According to the CPSC and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is not only the top killer of toddlers but also the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children aged 5-14. From 2020 to 2022, an average of 357 children under 15 died annually in pool- or spa-related drownings. For every fatal incident, an estimated seven to eight more children are treated in emergency departments for non-fatal drowning injuries, which can lead to severe brain damage and lifelong disabilities.

Alarmingly, the majority of these tragedies occur in residential settings, often during non-swim times when a child gains unexpected access to water. Research shows that nearly 70% of toddler drownings happen when they are not expected to be swimming, and 88% occur with at least one adult present, highlighting the swift and silent nature of these incidents.

Furthermore, the data reveals stark racial disparities. Black children and American Indian/Alaska Native children face disproportionately higher drowning rates. In swimming pools, Black children aged 10-14 drown at a rate 7.6 times higher than their white counterparts, a statistic that points to systemic inequities in access to swim lessons and safe swimming environments.

Building on a Legacy of Safety

This grant program is authorized by the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGB Act), landmark federal legislation passed in 2007. Named for the 7-year-old granddaughter of former Secretary of State James Baker, who died in a spa drain entrapment incident, the VGB Act has had a profound and measurable impact on water safety.

Since its implementation, there has not been a single reported drain entrapment-related death involving a child in a public pool or spa in the United States—a full decade of prevention. The Act mandates specific anti-entrapment drain covers and other safety systems in public pools. Overall, the VGB Act is credited with contributing to a 25% reduction in U.S. pool deaths among children in its first ten years.

The CPSC's grant program is a key component of the VGB Act, designed to incentivize states and localities to adopt and enforce their own comprehensive pool safety laws. Since 2016, the agency has distributed more than $10 million to support these local efforts, funding everything from inspector training to public awareness campaigns.

A Call to Action for Local Governments

Eligibility for the new round of funding is open to state, local, and tribal governments, as well as U.S. Territories, that have a qualifying pool and spa safety law in effect. To qualify, a jurisdiction's law must meet minimum requirements outlined in the VGB Act, which include mandating barriers like four-sided fencing around residential pools and requiring specific drain safety measures for new pool construction.

Jurisdictions that secure funding are required to allocate at least 50% of the grant toward hiring and training personnel to enforce these local safety laws. The remaining funds can be used for educating the public, pool owners, and pool construction and service companies about drowning prevention and safety standards.

This focus on enforcement is critical, as laws are only effective when they are implemented and monitored. The CPSC has stated it is strengthening its oversight to ensure the funds are used effectively to produce measurable safety outcomes.

Applications for the grant opportunity, identified as CP-VGB-26-01, are being accepted through July 13, 2026, via the federal Grants.gov portal. Agency officials are available to guide potential applicants through the process.

Layers of Protection Save Lives

While federal funding and local enforcement are vital, the CPSC emphasizes that preventing drowning requires a multi-layered approach that extends to every family and community. Through its Pool Safely campaign, the agency promotes simple but effective steps that all families should take:

• Barriers: Install a four-sided fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate that completely separates the pool from the house and yard.
• Supervision: Never leave a child unattended in or near water. Designate an official "Water Watcher," an adult who agrees to provide 100% of their attention to the children in the water without distractions like cell phones or books.
• Learn to Swim: Enroll children in swimming lessons from a qualified instructor. Basic water safety skills can be life-saving.
• Know CPR: Parents, caregivers, and pool owners should all learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Seconds count in a drowning incident, and bystander CPR can be the difference between life and death.
• Check Drain Covers: Ensure all pools and spas have drain covers that comply with federal safety standards to prevent powerful suction from trapping a swimmer.

This comprehensive strategy, combining robust legislation, dedicated funding, active enforcement, and public vigilance, represents the most effective defense against the preventable tragedy of child drowning.