Playing near streams, roadsides, climbing trees, or scrambling over rocks is a common sight among children in villages and hamlets. With few dedicated playgrounds for young children, many spend their free time in open areas around their homes, including potentially dangerous locations such as ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams. Alarmingly, many accidents and injuries stem from the lack of safe play environments and adult supervision.

One tragic example was Q.V.V. (7 years old), a resident of Kệt village, Tuần Giáo commune, who drowned in July 2025. On the afternoon of July 7, 2025, while accompanying his mother to graze buffaloes, V. wandered away and became lost. After nearly a full day of searching, his body was found in a pool of water not far from where he had disappeared.

Also in July 2025, L.A.A. (8 years old), from Huổi Lích 1 village, Nậm Kè commune, was swept away by floodwaters. According to local authorities, on July 4, 2025, three children were crossing a stream on a bamboo raft when water levels suddenly rose and the current became stronger. When the rope securing the raft came loose, the two older children managed to swim to safety, but L.A.A. was carried away by the current. After more than three days of searching, authorities and local residents recovered the child’s body on July 7 in the Nậm Chà Stream area, approximately 15 kilometers from the accident site.

Beyond these two incidents, recent years have seen numerous cases of child drownings and injuries nationwide, often caused by swimming in rivers or streams without adult supervision, playing near hazardous areas, or lacking the skills needed to respond to emergencies. In Điện Biên province alone, 26 drowning cases have been recorded since 2025, the majority involving children.

In response, communes and wards across the province have strengthened efforts to improve awareness and equip children with drowning-prevention and injury-prevention skills. Key activities include public education campaigns reaching every village and residential area, surveys of high risk locations, installation of warning signs, and encouraging residents to build protective barriers around ponds and lakes near populated areas.

Nguyễn Tiến Thành, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Nậm Kè commune, shared: “In many mountainous villages, parents spend long hours working in upland fields and are unable to closely supervise their children. At the same time, the rugged terrain, with numerous streams, ponds, and lakes, means that the risk of accidents involving children is always present. Therefore, public awareness campaigns and community education must be conducted regularly, especially during summer vacations when children have more free time and face increased risks.”

Alongside local authorities, the Điện Biên provincial Police have worked closely with the education sector and mass organizations to promote drowning-prevention knowledge and skills among students. Educational activities are delivered through school assemblies, extracurricular programs, and direct outreach in schools and communities, helping children recognize potential dangers and strengthen their self-protection awareness.

In addition, authorities provide practical guidance on responding to water-related emergencies and performing safe rescue procedures, equipping students with essential real-life skills. These educational efforts have gradually improved awareness among both students and parents, helping reduce the likelihood of tragic accidents.

Quàng Thị Nguyệt, from Ké village, Mường Phăng commune, shared: “Before the summer break, our teachers taught us drowning-prevention skills and how to react in dangerous situations involving water. Thanks to those lessons, I better understand which places are risky and know how to protect myself. I never go swimming in rivers or streams without an adult accompanying me.”

While the efforts of authorities are important, they alone are not enough. Their effectiveness depends on strong cooperation from families. Parents should closely monitor their children’s daily activities and never allow them to visit rivers, streams, ponds, or lakes without adult supervision. They should also proactively teach children swimming skills, how to identify dangerous areas, and how to call for help in emergencies.

As the summer holiday begins, the risk of child drowning increases when adult supervision is lacking. To safeguard children’s lives and well-being, families, schools, and society as a whole must work together and take collective responsibility to implement comprehensive preventive measures and ensure that such tragic accidents do not occur.