A search for a safer bucket to prevent children drowning at home

BACKGROUND: Unintentional drowning is the leading cause of death for children younger than 5 years old. A bucket is one of the most common water container in which children can drown. The objective of this work was to evaluate the base diameter of a bucket and the necessary force to shed it. METHODS: This was an experimental study. We used six galvanized buckets of different diameters. Each selected bucket was pulled using a pulley with other buckets full of water until the water spilled out. The statistical analysis was done by linear regression with p less than 0.05 as statistically significant. RESULTS: This research shows a direct relation between the wide base diameter (in a bucket 23 cm high, 25 cm rim, with a 20 cm water depth) and the strength required to spill the liquid contents (β= 1.21; x= diameter of the base in centimeters; α= 14.59; r= 0.99 and p less than 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the bucket structure could determine the risk of child drowning. The risk could increase directly as its base width increases.