Exciting Family Day to prevent child drowning

On July 22, the Family Day for Child Drowning Prevention took place at Thong Nhat Park, Hanoi, attracting the participation of many parents and children. The festival spread the message "Anyone is at risk of drowning, but it is completely preventable!".

Recommendations for preventing drowning in children
Child drowning deaths have decreased by an average of 3-5% each year.

The Family Day for Child Drowning Prevention is part of a series of activities in response to World Drowning Prevention Day 2023, organized by the Department of Children (Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs) in coordination with the Bloomberg Philanthropies (USA), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (Global Health Policy Advocacy Program), USA. It aims to raise awareness of the burden of child drowning and spread safety measures to help ensure the lives of Vietnamese children under 16 years old.

Although the number of children dying from drowning has been decreasing in recent years, it is still one of the top 10 causes of death for children under 16 years old. Children aged 6-15 are at the highest risk of drowning when playing in rivers, lakes, ponds or beaches. In many cases, they are trying to save their friends from drowning. The number of boys drowning is higher than that of girls. Children under 5 years old are more likely to drown near or close to their homes, in ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, canals, and even in puddles at construction sites or water tanks.

Mr. Dang Hoa Nam, Director of the Department of Children, delivered the opening speech at the event.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Dang Hoa Nam, Director of the Department of Children, said that drowning prevention measures including teaching children swimming and water safety skills, as well as regular supervision of children at home and in the community, have contributed to saving nearly 100 children from drowning every year, but the death toll remains high.

This positive result is an encouragement for the coordination of ministries, local authorities, social organizations and communities, however we still need to continue to act and invest more resources to prevent and combat drowning in children.

To protect the lives of children, the Drowning Prevention Program in Vietnam and the Government of Vietnam aim to achieve the goals set out in the Child Injury Prevention Program in Vietnam for the period 2021 - 2030 issued by the Prime Minister, aiming for 50% of children aged 6-15 to know how to swim, and 60% of children to be taught water safety skills in the period 2023 - 2025.

Ms. Kelly Larson, Director of Road Safety and Drowning Prevention Program, Bloomberg Philanthropies USA, speaking at the event.

Ms. Kelly Larson, Bloomberg Philanthropies, shared that drowning is completely preventable through the care and practical actions of each family and individual. She hopes that through this series of events, parents, relatives or teachers will raise awareness in enhancing supervision of children, creating conditions for children to learn safe swimming and learn safety skills in the water environment, and learn how to proactively protect themselves in bad situations.

Dr. Angela Pratt, World Health Organization Representative in Vietnam, speaking at the event.

“The theme of this year’s World Drowning Prevention Day is ‘Anyone can drown, but it is preventable’,” said Dr Angela Pratt, WHO Representative in Vietnam. “More than 236,000 people die from drowning each year. WHO recommends that the Vietnamese Government focus on teaching school-age children basic swimming skills, water safety skills and safe water rescue skills. These are cost-effective measures that have been proven to significantly reduce the risk of drowning and save children’s lives. This is extremely important for children aged 6 and above to grow up healthy and safe. Safe swimming skills not only stay with children for life, but are also a way to practice healthy physical activity.”

Delegates and children take photos at the event

At the Festival, children and parents participated in many bonding and experience activities through games: Artistic face painting; flashmob performance on the theme of water safety; interactive “Knowledge Cards”; catch-the-word game; decorating swimming floats…

In addition, parents also have the opportunity to practice drowning rescue skills with their children through the "Rescue" activity area - simulating the action of throwing a lifebuoy to save people in dangerous situations; being instructed on how to properly wear a life jacket; safe drowning rescue skills...

The pictures communicating the message of drowning prevention at the event attracted the attention of many children.

Through activities and games, participants gained practical knowledge about the situation of child drowning in Vietnam, the importance of equipping children with water safety skills as well as the role of families, parents and caregivers in preventing and combating drowning.

Attending the Festival with her family, Mai Anh (10 years old, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi) said that her parents sent her to swimming lessons since she was 6 years old. Although she knows many swimming styles, she has never learned water safety skills and safe drowning rescue skills. Participating in the Festival, she feels very happy to gain more knowledge; participate in many interesting and useful games and especially learn more skills to throw buoys and safely save drowning friends.

The Family Day for Child Drowning Prevention took place over two days from July 22-23 at Thong Nhat Park, Hanoi.

Viet Cuong

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