Son La is a mountainous province with many rivers, streams, and natural lakes. However, equipping children with drowning prevention skills has not been implemented evenly. Many students do not know how to swim or do not have the skills to escape when encountering water incidents.
This is the reason why the risk of drowning accidents tends to increase, especially in the summer, when children often play outdoors and have little supervision from adults.
According to statistics from the authorities, in 2024, there were 9 drowning incidents in children in Son La province, killing 10 children. The victims were mainly between the ages of 5 and 16.
In the past 2 months alone, Son La province has recorded 3 drowning cases that killed 3 students.
Worryingly, most drowning cases often occur in public areas such as ponds, lakes, rivers, streams... where there are no people to monitor, lack barriers and safety warnings.
In order to minimize accidents, Son La Provincial Police have deployed many preventive solutions. Subordinate units will increase propaganda in high-risk areas, check safety conditions, and sign commitments with households and schools.
From 2024 to present, the functional forces of Son La Provincial Police have organized 8 training sessions on swimming skills and drowning prevention for 500 children in the province. At the same time, coordinate to open free swimming classes in Muong La district with the participation of 200 students.
In addition, the Son La Provincial Police force also regularly coordinates with schools and unions to organize propaganda sessions and instruct students on swimming skills and water-based escape skills.
Colonel Nguyen Khac Ngoc - Head of the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department, Son La Provincial Police said that in Son La province, there is a large system of rivers and streams, spread across districts, cities and towns. This also poses a great risk of drowning, especially for children.
"To limit drowning, especially for children during this summer, we are continuing to coordinate to open free swimming classes for children. At the same time, coordinate with schools and mass organizations to organize propaganda and warn of the risk of drowning. Organize on-duty forces and vehicles to be ready to carry out search and rescue and drowning when situations arise" - Colonel Nguyen Khac Ngoc said.
Mr. Quang Van Lam - Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training of Son La province said that the provincial education sector also actively implements measures to prevent drowning for students, especially during their summer vacation.
"We have issued documents directing and guiding schools to increase propaganda, organize extracurricular activities to raise awareness and equip students with skills to prevent accidents and injuries" - Mr. Lam said.
To effectively prevent and combat drowning, in addition to the participation of all levels and sectors, each family needs to strengthen supervision, not letting children swim in ponds, lakes, rivers and streams without adults.
