Page 19 Advertisement 3

New Zealand Listener, Volume 31, Issue 801, 26 November 1954, Page 19

YOUNG LIVES LOST 24 LAST SUMMER a little forethought could have saved them The sad record of drowning accidents last summer shows that of the 81 victims, 24 were children under ten years of age. Even more terrible is the recorded fact that 14 of these children were babies under five years of agel This waste of young life with the personal tragedy and suffering it brought to the families concerned could have been avoided, if adults had learned to recognise the danger spots and had done something about them: Nearly all these accidents were preventable and we must all face up to the fact that we all have a per- sonal responsibility to safeguard, as far as possible; these young lives Let' S all realise first of all that even the shallowest area of water only a few inches deep can be a potential hazard to toddlers. HOW DID THESE WATER WISDOM FOR ACCIDENTS HAPPEN ? OLDER CHILDREN Most of these small children drowned in the vicinity of their own homes in Have your children taught to swim at the water-tanks, ponds, creeks, wells, sheep- earliest possible age: More important still dips one fatal accident even occurred see that they acquire water wisdom in a goldfish pond. Because such areas Make sure they understand the dangers of offered no danger to grown-upS, they were river currents, heavy surf with its under- not recognised as hazards to youngsters. tow, and the risks involved with such artia CAN SUCH ACCIDENTS ficial aids as inflated tyres and water toys: Teach them never to swim alone and to BE PREVENTED ? stay between the fags on patrolled beaches. Yes. Search out, learn to recognise; the As soon as they can absorb it, have them potential danger spots in the vicinity of taught life-saving and artificial respiration: your home If possible, get such danger Above all, teach them that the taking of spots fenced off or covered in. Even a fish unnecessary risks in or near the water isn't pond can be covered with light wirenet- a sign of courage: It S foolishly chancing ting;_ making it perfectly safe without de- their own lives and the lives of others: tracting from its appearance. If this is not possible, fence in a play-area, preferably With a little thought this summer, you within sight of the house. Children are could save a young life. It could even be safer under your eye: one near and dear to you: LIarn Learm T0 WATER Swim Wisdom 6.F.55 Issued by The National Prevent Drowning Committee on behalf of the Internal Affairs Department: