Child safety starts with the things around us.

Every summer, the worry about child drowning accidents resurfaces for many families and society as a whole. In a short period, a series of tragic incidents have occurred in various localities. Most heartbreaking recently was the accident in Phu Tho province that claimed the lives of five children. These numbers and events once again sound the alarm about a danger that continues to silently exist every summer vacation.

Students in Kha Son commune participate in a safe swimming lesson. (Photo: Provided)

It is concerning that despite warnings about drowning accidents for many years and regular awareness campaigns, the number of incidents has not decreased as expected. The primary reason lies in the gaps in the management and supervision of children during the summer holidays.

When the school year ends, many children spend most of their time playing outdoors while their parents are busy with work, and supervision relies mainly on self-discipline. In many rural and mountainous areas, children still have the habit of going to ponds, lakes, and streams to swim and cool off, lacking the necessary safety skills.

Another reality that needs to be faced is that many localities have yet to create a safe and attractive summer environment to attract children. In many areas, deep ponds, reservoirs, irrigation works, and material mining pits have existed for a long time, but fencing and warning signs are still inadequate.

Therefore, child drowning incidents are not simply unexpected accidents. Behind each incident lies a story about management responsibility, prevention awareness, and coordination between families, schools, and local authorities. Simply offering general reminders after each accident will hardly bring about real change.

Prime Minister 's Directive No. 40/CĐ-TTg emphasizes the need to strengthen responsibility in protecting children from the risk of drowning, with comprehensive solutions such as promoting awareness, teaching swimming, equipping children with water safety skills, reviewing and warning about dangerous areas, and promoting the role of local authorities.

This is a necessary requirement because drowning prevention efforts cannot rely solely on one force or one single factor.

In this context, the family plays a crucial role in managing children during the summer, because even a moment of carelessness on the part of adults can lead to regrettable consequences.

Schools need to coordinate closely with local authorities in managing students during the summer break, organizing swimming lessons and providing practical drowning prevention skills tailored to local conditions, especially in mountainous and hilly provinces like Thai Nguyen , where there are many rivers, streams, lakes, and dams posing high risks.

Ultimately, preventing child drowning is about safeguarding the safety and future of the younger generation. Every accident leaves behind irreplaceable losses for families and society. When the cicadas begin to chirp, it's time to raise the level of vigilance in protecting children.

The important thing is not the slogans after each tragic incident, but the concrete actions, clear responsibilities, and proactive approach from each family and each locality, to ensure that children's summers are truly safe.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202605/an-toan-cho-tre-tu-nhung-dieu-gan-nhat-0a72764/