10 Texas Children Have Drowned in 2026 — And Summer Hasn't Started

According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, 10 children have drowned in Texas so far in 2026 — and summer hasn't even begun. This follows a devastating trend: 88 children drowned in 2025, and 103 drowned in 2024.

The 2026 Numbers (Through March 3)

The drownings span multiple counties and circumstances:

• Dallas County: 3-year-old in an apartment pool
• Ellis County: 1-year-old in a bathtub
• Fannin County: Three siblings (ages 6, 8, 9) in a pond — a single family, a single tragedy
• Harris County: Two children (ages 2 and 3) in backyard pools
• Fort Bend County: 5-year-old in a creek
• Frio County: 3-year-old in a bathtub
• Tarrant County: 6-year-old in a backyard pool

Who Is at Risk?

Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death for children under age 5. Toddlers are especially vulnerable because they can drown in almost any amount of water — bathtubs, buckets, ponds, and pools. It only takes a few minutes and a few inches of water.

Prevention Saves Lives

The DFPS Prevention and Early Intervention division emphasizes simple, effective strategies:

• Never leave children unsupervised around water, indoors or outdoors
• Designate a "water watcher" at parties and gatherings
• Empty buckets, tubs, and kiddie pools immediately after use
• Learn CPR — seconds matter in drowning emergencies
• Install barriers around pools and water features

What You Can Do

Every drowning is preventable. As Texas enters the summer months — when drownings historically spike — families, caregivers, and communities must prioritize water safety. Share this information. Watch children around water. Be the adult who prevents the next tragedy.

Source: Texas DFPS Child Drowning Statistics (updated March 3, 2026)

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