TODDLERS HEAD LIST OF DROWNINGS

Chronicle (Levin), 12 September 1947, Page 7

TODDLERS HEAD LIST OF DROWNINGS

press Association)

; (Per

WELLINGTON, September 11. The liigliest aceident mortality rate in New Zealand is by droAvning with toddlers of-.between two and four~ years, coniprising a tragically- large percentage. By means of education drives , and eooperation from the education authorities and parents, the national committee of swimming' ahd life-saving is furthering its, efforts in an endeavour to avoid this loss.^ol li|e. • Statistics made available to the committee reveal that. deaths from drowning, the majority of whieh; aiie duriiig. the bathing season, have equalled the number killedon the roads, for a -jaili year and 011 some occasions exceeded this totaL "We have no' desire to ereate a ,fear psychology- but-to draw attention to the causes of drownings and means of reetifying the - position as far as possible," said the secretary of the committee, Mr. N. A. Ingram, who is also president.of the N.Z, Surf LiveSaving Association. The committee found that in a large number of cases the victims were toddlers of from t^vo to four years, he said. The unfortunate aspect Was that many of these valuable lives were lost on or adjacent ihe properties of parents, in rivers, holes, troughs, slieep dips or sumps. The eooperation of Govern- ' ment departments, education authorities, teachers, school committees and press, had been readily :accorded £"0 the committee, said Mr. Ingram, and with parents and the public giving the matter full attention, he felt sure the mortality. rate could be /brought to a minimuni. ' ' '