Page 31 Advertisement 2

New Zealand Listener, Volume 32, Issue 817, 25 March 1955, Page 31

YOUNG LIVES LOST 28 SO FAR THIS SUMMER a little forethought could have saved them Shocking feature of this summer'$ mounting drowning toll has been the number of children lost. Of 85 drowning victims in four months of this summer; 28 were children ten years old and under. Six of these were just babies-under 5 years. This loss of young life with its tragedy and suffering could have been avoided; ie adults had learned to recognise the danger spots and done something about them: For nearly all these accidents were preventable: Monthly drowning statistics_17 in November, 22 in December, 34 in January, and 12 in February-make it clear we all have a personal responsi- bility to safeguard our children and become water wise ourselves. Let'$ all realise the hazards of our rivers; lakes and sea-and particularly, that even the shallowest pool only a few inches deep is a death trap to our 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 offered no danger to grown-upS, they were Make sure they understand the dangers of not recognised as hazards to youngsters. river currents, heavy surf with its under- tow, and the risks involved with such arti- CAN SUCH ACCIDENTS ficial aids as inflated tyres and water toys: Teach them never to swim alone and to BE PREVENTED ? stay between the flags 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 poxsible; 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 sa ler under your eye: one near and dear to you: Irarn LIARN io.K.5s 70 Hater JwIim Misbom Issued by The National Prevent Drowning Committee on behalf of the Internal Affairs Department.