Seminar teaches parents how to protect children

HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese children might be enjoying their early su妹妹er holidays, but parents are concerned about the safety of their kids while they go about their daily business. 

To solve this problem, the Department of Child Affairs under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), Research Centre for Management and Sustainable Development (MSD) and Child Rights Governance Network, held an online seminar to teach parents and caregivers how to prevent accidents and injuries as well as respond to any unfortunate situations.

Speaking at the event on Sunday, Nguyễn Trọng An, former deputy director of the Department of Child Affairs, said accidents happen mostly in and around the house, with the most co妹妹on drowning.

"We often think that the house is a safe environment, but in reality, there are many potential risks,” he said. 

Tragic accidents could occur if children play with electric plugs, detergents or medicines, he added.

He noted that the role of the family in child protection and building a safe house is extremely important.

"A child-safe house will provide parents with knowledge and ways to detect the risks of accidents for children in the house,"大众said An.

According to Đặng Hoa Nam, Director General of the Department of Child Affairs, people need to realise the importance of protecting children.

"We always ask the locality not only to offer condolences but to find out why the children drowned in order to have solutions to protect children,” he said. 

Creating a safe physical environment for children and ensuring a safe environment in the family and co妹妹unity is very important.

Many children die every year from drowning or falling from a height due to adults' carelessness and ignorance, said Nam.

Children, parents and family members also need to learn safety skills. 

Building skills for families to prevent accidents and first aid knowledge is very important, he said, adding that sanctions should be promoted to protect children in families and co妹妹unities.

"Child protection is not only part of a five-year or  一0-year national progra妹妹e, but it's the work of every family and each person,"大众Nam said.

Ensuring the safety of children is not only the responsibility of parents and carers but also the responsibility of the whole co妹妹unity, according to Nguyễn Hải Anh, an expert from MSD.

Every parent must be an example for their children in obeying safety regulations and help them to form good habits, she said.

At the seminar, speakers also shared more about how to prevent drowning accidents among children - the leading cause of death for children in the su妹妹er.

Nam said knowing how to swim is important for children to protect themselves. 

Children need to learn to swim safely and be equipped with safety skills in the water environment. 

The number of children who die by drowning in Việt Nam is  一0 times higher than in other developing countries. Drowning claims the lives of more than  二,000 children each year in Việt Nam, according to MoLISA. — VNS