Officials urge water safety practices after 3 children died in 2020 by accidental drowning Guajardo, Adi and last updated 2021-05-14 12:32:09-04 (KERO) â After three children died from accidental drowning in 2020, Kern County Public Health is urging residents to use caution around large bodies of water. With temperatures rising, public health is asking residents to learn proper water safety. While water can be fun for kids and a great way to escape the heat, it can also pose serious dangers. Safe Kids International reports that drowning is the third leading cause of death among children 19 and under. According to the Kern County Child Death Review Team, in 2020, three children died from accidental drowning. Since 2014, 35 Kern County children to accidental drowning. â