Fun summer, safe summer

Summer is a time for children to rest, play, and participate in many outdoor activities.

A child's summer. Photo: NGUYEN DUC NGHIA

Accidents and injuries increase during the summer.

In the early days of summer 2026, a series of tragic drowning incidents occurred in localities across the country such as Ha Tinh , Nghe An, Phu Tho, etc., raising an alarm about the risk of accidents and injuries to children during the summer holidays.

In mid-May 2026, in Tủa Sín Chải commune ( Lai Châu province), 206 students exhibited symptoms of food poisoning, including nausea and abdominal pain, after eating a type of fruit picked from the wild.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Health , approximately 370,000 children nationwide suffer accidents and injuries each year, with nearly 8,000 fatalities. Notably, the number of incidents tends to increase sharply during the summer months when children have more time to play outdoors, participate in water activities, or travel more.

In Hai Phong, five tragic drowning incidents were recorded at the beginning of summer. Many other domestic accidents also occurred, leaving significant consequences for the health and psychology of children.

In late May 2026, Vu Xuan Loc, a student at Minh Tan Secondary School in Bach Dang Ward, unfortunately fell while exercising, resulting in an ankle injury, joint effusion, and requiring treatment at Hai Phong Children's Hospital. Also in this locality, Nguyen Thi My, a student at Minh Tan Primary School, fell while running and jumping indoors, causing a partial fracture of her front tooth, requiring long-term treatment and monitoring.

These seemingly simple incidents demonstrate the reality that accidents and injuries can happen anywhere, from schools and playgrounds to children's everyday living spaces. A firsthand observation at Hai Phong Children's Hospital shows that the number of children admitted due to accidents and injuries remains high.

According to information from the General Planning Department of Hai Phong Children's Hospital, in 2025 the hospital will provide emergency care and treatment for 1,922 cases of children injured in accidents. In just the first five months of 2026, this number has already reached 828 cases.

Common types of accidents include falls resulting in upper and lower limb fractures, soft tissue injuries, and impact injuries. The number of cases often increases during the summer because children participate in more outdoor recreational and sports activities without adult supervision or without adequate self-protection skills.

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According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Yen, Head of the General Planning Department (Hai Phong Children's Hospital), accidents and injuries in children are divided into two groups. The unintentional group includes drowning, traffic accidents, burns, electric shock, poisoning, animal bites, injuries from sharp objects, explosives, etc.

Intentional risks include violent acts, abuse, fighting, self-harm, or suicide. However, unintentional risks still account for the largest proportion during the summer. This is mainly due to children being on school holidays, spending more time at home, or participating in outdoor activities, going to the beach, visiting relatives, or going on picnics.

In the summer, the hot weather also leads many children to seek out ponds, lakes, rivers, and the sea to play and swim without adult supervision, or because they don't know how to swim or lack the skills to handle dangerous situations.

Working together to create a safe environment.

In May 2026, Ngo Gia Tu Primary School, in collaboration with the City's Child Protection Association, will conduct awareness campaigns on preventing drowning and safety skills for students at home during the summer break.

Given this situation, accident and injury prevention for children during the summer is receiving special attention from all levels, sectors, and localities in the city.

At the launching ceremony of the Month of Action for Children and the opening of Summer Activities in 2026, Comrade Vu Tien Phung, Member of the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee, Head of the Steering Committee for Population and Children, and Head of the City's Summer Activities Steering Committee, requested localities and units to effectively organize summer activities in the community; creating a safe and healthy environment for children to play.

Promote swimming lessons, disseminate skills in preventing and responding to drowning, safe traffic participation skills, fire prevention, firefighting and rescue; review and promptly address safety risks at playgrounds, community centers, swimming pools, tourist areas and facilities where children participate in activities.

In parallel, many schools are proactively equipping students with knowledge and skills before the summer break. Ms. Dinh Thi Ha, Principal of Ngo Gia Tu Primary School in Hong Bang Ward, said that before the summer break, the school coordinated the organization of awareness campaigns on drowning prevention, guiding students to identify common accident risks at home and practice basic first aid and emergency handling skills.

Teacher Pham Van Xinh, Principal of Le Hong Phong Primary School in Phu Lien Ward, sent a letter to all students before the summer break, reminding them not to swim in rivers, ponds, or lakes without permission; to strictly abide by traffic safety regulations; and to be cautious when using electricity, fire, and other items that could cause injury.

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However, preventing accidents and injuries to children requires the coordinated efforts of families, schools, authorities, and society as a whole. According to Ms. Pham Thi Thanh Nhan, from the Population and Children Department (Department of Health), localities need to regularly review high-risk areas such as ponds, lakes, canals, construction sites, and playgrounds that do not meet safety standards; install warning signs and reinforce necessary protective measures.

Strengthen safety inspections at public facilities and children's playgrounds. Families, including parents, grandparents, and relatives, should regularly supervise and monitor their children during the summer break, preventing them from going to dangerous areas or participating in high-risk activities without adult supervision.

During the summer holidays, children should participate in swimming lessons, first aid training, escape skills, and safety hazard identification. In the home, sharp objects, chemicals, electrical sources, and heat sources should be kept out of reach of children. Living areas should be kept tidy to minimize the risk of slips and falls. Pets should be carefully managed, fully vaccinated, and children's safety ensured when interacting with them.

Every accident leaves behind irreparable losses and consequences. Therefore, prevention is always the most effective solution. When families, schools, the government, and society as a whole take responsibility and proactively eliminate safety risks, children will have a truly joyful, enriching, and safe summer.

BUI HUONG

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/he-vui-he-an-toan-545163.html