Drowning is one of the leading causes of child deaths

Data shows that drowning is the second leading cause of death among children aged 1 to 4 years. In the range of 5 to 9 years, it appears in third place. Among people aged 10 to 24, it ranks fourth.

For the president of Sobrasa, Colonel Fábio Braga, from the Military Fire Department of the State of Rio de Janeiro, periods of greater coexistence with swimming pools, beaches, rivers and other aquatic environments require constant attention from parents and guardians.

“Up to 95% of drownings could be prevented through education and information,” said Braga.

Half of cases involving children occur indoors or in nearby areas, such as swimming pools, bathtubs, toilets, washing machines, water tanks and other reservoirs.

Among the main prevention measures are continuous adult supervision, the use of protective barriers around swimming pools, isolation of areas with accumulated water and guidance on water safety from the first years of life.

In Brazil, one person drowns every 90 minutes. Four in ten victims are under 29 years old. In a single year, 5,742 deaths are recorded, with around two thirds occurring in rivers, lakes and dams.

To increase awareness, Sobrasa is preparing a national prevention campaign, with the participation of around 10 thousand volunteers. The mobilization will also include public and private institutions, universities, clubs, fire brigades and lifeguards.

According to Fábio Braga, the objective is to value life and provide the population with information about the risks and ways to avoid these accidents.

The entity reinforces that drownings are not inevitable events. Surveillance, information and safe behavior can significantly reduce the number of deaths.

Among the planned actions is the Celebrando sua Cidade project, which will take lectures, courses and training on water safety to different Brazilian states.

Another initiative will be the Go Blue movement, which encourages the lighting of monuments and public buildings in blue. Christ the Redeemer, in Rio de Janeiro, the Mané Garrincha Stadium, in Brasília, and the Arena Castelão, in Ceará, are among the locations confirmed in the campaign.

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