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Drowning is a common cause of death in the United States, affecting both children and adults. Drowning is the second most common accidental cause of death in children with motor vehicle accidents the first. Children should not be left unsupervised near or within bodies of water or large containers of water, including large water buckets, wading pool toys, and bathtubs. A small child can drown in less than 1 inch of water. Effective, encompassing, and secure fencing around swimming pools or other bodies of water (such as a pond) will also decrease the risk of drowning in children. Flotation vests are important devices to help prevent drowning while swimming or while boating. in 2019, the U.S. Coast Guard reported that in their investigations of boating related deaths, 86% of drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket. Knowing how to swim is a vital life skill for children and adults to prevent drowning. For adults and older adolescents, consumption of alcohol or certain medications while engaging in water recreation activities (such as swimming or boating) can increase the risk for drowning as their side effects can lead to drowsiness and decreased coordination.

TAX RATE: TRAVIS COUNTY ADOPTED A TAX RATE THAT WILL RAISE MORE TAXES FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS THAN LAST YEAR’S TAX RATE. THE TAX RATE WILL EFFECTIVELY BE RAISED BY 3.5 PERCENT AND WILL RAISE TAXES FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS ON A $100,000 HOME BY APPROXIMATELY $9.12.