Guidance on Preventing Child Drowning during COVID-19

18 Apr, 2020

The Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs in collaboration with the Global Health Advocacy Organization, Hue Help, and UNICEF Vietnam have launched a publication giving guidance to prevent child drowning during the time of COVID-19. This is a publication for parents and caregivers at home and in child care settings.

Drowning – the silent killer – kills more than 2,000 children every year in Vietnam. Typically, child drowning events are high during the summer months, especially when students enter the summer vacation. However, 2020 is a completely different year. The COVID-19 pandemic is complex, and children are temporarily out of school and at home to prevent the spread of the virus. Many parents and caregivers think that it is safer to stay at home, but in fact, in March 2020, there were more than 30 fatal child drowning cases reported in the media.

Here are four basic tips for parents and caregivers at home and child care facilities to prevent drowning:

  1. Identify drowning risk factors for children such as: potential places of drowning risk for children (Wells, ponds, lakes, streams, rice fields, canals, irrigation canals, sewers, tanks bath tubs, water jars, swimming pools, beaches);
  2. Make safety barriers around hazards;
  3. Supervise Children;
  4. Educate Children;

You can download the full guidance here:

Source: The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs

Continue reading