Preventing drowning: We cannot be complacent.

In the early days of summer, as temperatures rise, the risk of drowning accidents among children increases. Although the summer vacation hasn't officially begun, many localities have already experienced heartbreaking incidents involving students swimming in rivers and streams without adult supervision. The recent tragic drowning accident in Song Lo commune serves as another warning about the complacency and negligence in supervising children and preventing drowning incidents.

Strengthen awareness campaigns from schools.

At Dao Duc Secondary School in Xuan Lang commune, the school has paid special attention to preventing drowning among students since the weather started to reach its peak of hot weather. Right in front of the school gate, warning signs with messages such as "Do not go swimming without an adult accompanying you" are placed in easily visible locations to remind students to raise their awareness of self-protection.

Dao Duc Secondary School advises students "Not to go swimming without an adult accompanying them."

Beyond just visual slogans, teachers regularly incorporate knowledge and skills on drowning prevention into lessons, class activities, and extracurricular events. This helps students identify safety risks and learn how to handle emergency situations.

Tran Hai Son, a 9th-grade student from Dao Duc Secondary School, shared: "After receiving guidance from my teachers, I understand that I shouldn't swim in ponds, lakes, rivers, or streams on my own; equipping myself with water safety skills is essential. At the same time, I will participate in safe recreational activities during the summer."

Many drowning prevention skills are taught to the children in a lively and memorable way by the teachers.

In addition, the school also broadcasts informational content on drowning prevention during recess, following the principle of "slow and steady wins the race," helping students regularly remember safety skills.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy, Principal of Dao Duc Secondary School, said: "Students at this age are very active and curious, so the school regularly reminds and guides them on water safety skills, and also coordinates with parents and organizations in managing students during the summer."

Many potential risks exist locally.

In Son Dong commune, drowning prevention is a top priority due to the numerous rivers, lakes, dams, and irrigation systems that pose potential safety risks to children during the summer. The commune currently has two Class III dikes: the right bank dike of the Pho Day River, 6.4 km long, and the left bank dike of the Lo River, 1.7 km long. These are important flood control structures and also areas frequently used by residents, especially children, for recreation during the summer. In addition, there are eight small lakes, along with many drainage channels, canals, and inland pumping stations serving agricultural production.

In response to this situation, local authorities have directed a review of dangerous areas, erected warning signs at deep water points, and intensified public awareness campaigns through local radio broadcasts to improve the understanding of drowning prevention among residents and students.

Warning signs to prevent drowning have been erected by the People's Committee of Son Dong commune in areas with deep and dangerous water.

Comrade Nguyen Dinh Tuan - Chairman of the People's Committee of Son Dong commune, said: The locality requires villages to review areas at risk of drowning, erect warning signs, and requires schools to have students sign commitments before the summer break and to educate parents to closely supervise their children, preventing them from swimming in rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes on their own.

We cannot be complacent or negligent.

In reality, drowning accidents can happen at any time if there is a lack of attention and supervision from family and community. Especially during the summer, when students have more free time for play, the risk increases even more if they lack safety skills and are not supervised by adults.

Besides the involvement of schools and local authorities, the role of the family remains the most important factor in preventing drowning among children. Parents need to regularly remind and supervise their children, preventing them from going to dangerous areas such as ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams on their own; and at the same time, create opportunities for them to learn to swim and equip them with safety skills in aquatic environments.

Ms. Le Thi Hung, a parent with two children attending Dao Duc B Primary School, said: "Because our house is near the river, we proactively enrolled our two children in swimming lessons from a very young age. Now they can swim proficiently. However, we also closely supervise them, not allowing them to go to the river or swimming pool on their own."

Students from Dao Duc B Primary School participate in swimming lessons during the summer break and are awarded swimming certificates.

Aware of the importance of teaching swimming to students, Dao Duc B Primary School in Xuan Lang commune has organized extracurricular activities to teach students skills in preventing accidents, injuries, and drowning before each summer break. According to Ms. Chu Thi Chuc, the school principal, about 30% of the students currently know how to swim. This summer, the school will continue to promote swimming for students who need it, aiming to help them improve their self-protection skills.

Students at Dao Duc B Primary School in Xuan Lang commune are being directly instructed in swimming skills by their teacher.

Every reminder and every preventative measure today will contribute to preventing tragic accidents from happening. Preventing drowning among children is not just the responsibility of families or schools, but requires the joint efforts of the whole society to ensure children have a safe and healthy summer.

Kim Lien

Source: https://baophutho.vn/phong-chong-duoi-nuoc-khong-the-lo-la-254387.htm