LDH: Number of child drownings increased in 2020 PxHere / MGN Online and last updated 2021-05-25 13:45:08-04 2020 was one of the deadliest years for child drownings in the Louisiana, according to state health officials. The Louisiana Department of Health says that infant and child drownings (ages 0-14) increased by 60 percent in Louisiana from 15 in 2019 to 24 in 2020. LDH is asking families to stay aware and take precautions to prevent child drownings this summer. "Water safety and drowning prevention efforts remain as important as ever, especially as families return to water activities at pools, lakes and beaches," said Dr. Joseph Kanter, State Health Officer. "Louisiana's latest numbers confirm that most child drownings occur in the warmer months and among children ages 1-4. This year, I urge everyone to take critical steps to reverse the upward trend in fatal child drownings."