Recently, child drowning deaths have decreased but still remained high in Khanh Hoa Province...
Recently, child drowning deaths have decreased but still remained high in Khanh Hoa Province. Therefore, local authorities and agencies plans to boost various measures to protect children from possible drowning hazards.
Child drowning deaths are still high
Vo Binh Tan, Vice-Director of Khanh Hoa Department of Labor, War Invalids & Social Affairs says over the past time, local authorities, departments and agencies have organized many activities to prevent accidents and injuries, including water-related ones among children. Currently, drowning deaths have decreased but still remained high, accounting 50% of accident and injury deaths. The most common causes of drowning include parents’ underestimation of drowning risks and lack of child care knowledge. Without adult supervision, some 5-year-olds have been reported to have fallen into ponds, rivers, lakes or holes.
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In addition, more accident and injury control and prevention education and propaganda are required as there are plenty of risks around children. Some construction sites lack warning signs and barriers. The funding for building swimming pools and teaching swimming to children is limited. The pilot project on teaching swimming has only been developed in some schools. There are insufficient amusement parks for children, especially in remote and rural areas. Therefore, during their summer breaks, children often go swimming in rivers, creeks and ponds.
Various measures to prevent drowning
In the period 2019-2020, local departments and agencies aim to reduce drowning by 15% compared to 2015; 50% of primary and lower secondary children know safety skills under water; 100% of children use life jackets when participating in navigation; 50% of district level organize swimming lessons for children; 75% of houses belong to households meeting the criteria of safe houses; 100% of village health workers, primary school and first-aid children drowning.
Vo Binh Tan says under the guidance of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids & Social Affairs, Khanh Hoa People’s Committee, 10 departments and sectors have discussed and signed an agreement on drowning prevention and control for children in Khanh Hoa, period 2019 - 2020. Accordingly, much focus is on raising awareness of drowning risks; water safety skill training; widespread anti- drowning campaigns; effort to keep schools, homes, ports, amusement parks and communities sound and safe to prevent drowning accidents and injuries among children. Furthermore, construction and irrigation systems are required to have warning signs and barriers; and frequent maintenance and urgent repairs must be made to assure safety.
Moreover, frequent patrol and inspection are boosted to prevent any waterway traffic violation. Much focus is on teaching swimming and water safety skills to children in many ways; launching swimming teaching campaigns, especially in rural areas; mobilizing community and international support in teaching swimming and water safety skills for children.
Children need capable, close and constant supervision when at home or outside. It is also essential to diversify summer activities, particularly teaching swimming to children; open daycare schools in mountainous and rural areas; continue reviewing, modifying, issuing and implementing documents on drowning prevention and control.
Phu An
Translated by N.T
