Children enjoy summer, adults don't forget to worry about the future

Commune Police, Commune Youth Union, Kim Boi Primary and Secondary School (Kim Boi) coordinated to organize propaganda to prevent drowning and injuries for children.

However, for many families, summer comes with constant worries about the risk of accidental injuries (AIDs) that lurks for children anytime, anywhere. From ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, streets to even in their own homes, the dangers of drowning, burns, falls, traffic accidents, electric shock, animal bites... can happen unexpectedly, leaving serious consequences both physically and mentally for children and their families.

According to statistics from the Department of Environmental Management ( Ministry of Health ), each year in Vietnam, more than 370,000 children under 16 years old suffer from accidental injuries, of which 6,600 cases are fatal. Drowning is the leading cause of death for about 2,000 children under 16 years old each year. These are heartbreaking figures but can be completely prevented if there is timely attention and supervision from parents and caregivers of children.

In Hoa Binh, by 2024, there will be nearly 225,000 children, accounting for 25.4% of the province's population. In recent years, all levels, sectors and organizations in the province have made efforts to implement many activities to disseminate andeducate about the law, life skills, prevention of natural disasters, child abuse, and protection of children in the online environment... 100% of schools in the area have integrated traffic safety education, prevention of drowning, sexual abuse... into the general education program and extracurricular activities. Authorities and localities have also increased inspection and supervision of equipment in playgrounds to ensure children's safety. Currently, the province has 81/151 communes, wards and towns with playgrounds specifically for children. However, the number of children dying from accidents in 2024 tends to increase compared to 2023. In 2024, the whole province recorded 37 children dying from accidents, an increase of 2 children compared to the previous year. Drowning continues to be the leading cause of death in children with 28 cases out of 23 cases. In addition, there was 1 child dying from a traffic accident, 3 children dying from landslides and 5 children dying from other causes.

Analysis of the accidents shows that most accidents occur due to the carelessness and subjectivity of adults. Just a moment of inattention, children can fall from an unfenced balcony, get burned by boiling water on the floor, get electrocuted by an unprotected outlet or drown when they go to a pond, lake, river or stream to bathe without adult supervision. In reality, the most common cause of accidents in children is lack of adult supervision, while children are hyperactive, curious and mischievous but lack knowledge and skills to recognize danger; the surrounding living environment still has many unsafe factors; many parents still lack knowledge and skills in accident prevention and handling some emergency situations...

No one can replace the role of adults in protecting children. Especially during the summer vacation, when children have a lot of free time, while parents and caregivers are still busy with work, and family management, guidance and companionship are key factors. Parents need to proactively eliminate safety risks in the home, supervise children regularly, and teach children skills to handle situations such as falls, burns, bleeding, drowning, etc.

In addition, schools continue to promote life skills education and prevention of accidents in the curriculum and extracurricular activities. The community, from local authorities to associations and organizations, needs to join hands to build a safe living environment for children, install barriers in ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams, post danger signs at places at risk of accidents, organize free swimming classes, and expand more public playgrounds...

Child abuse can happen at any time. But that is why, if every family, parent, and caregiver pays more attention, schools are more active and proactive, and the whole society joins hands, children will have a safer, more fulfilling summer, without loss or pain. And don't let summer - the season of innocent and bright childhood - become a time when we regret things that could have been avoided. For a safe and happy future for all children, each of us needs to act today, starting with the smallest things.

Ngoc Ngan

Source: https://baohoabinh.com.vn/274/202205/Tre-vui-he,-nguoi-lon-dung-quen-lo-xa.htm