Hamad Trauma Center offers drowning prevention advice

Doha, Qatar: To mark the fourth World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25, organizations and communities worldwide including the Hamad Injury Preventio...

Doha, Qatar: To mark the fourth World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25, organizations and communities worldwide including the Hamad Injury Prevention Program (HIPP) of Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Hamad Trauma Center are joining forces to raise awareness about the devastating consequences of drowning and to promote water safety measures.

This important initiative serves as a reminder of the urgent need for collective action to prevent drowning incidents and save lives. Tsoler Sekayan, Program Coordinator of the HIPP, the community outreach arm of Hamad Trauma Center, said: “Water safety is important for all ages, but especially for infants and toddlers. Drowning is a leading cause of injury and death worldwide in children aged between one and four years old. Young children can drown in as little as an inch or two of water, and it can happen quickly and silently.”

Drowning is a silent epidemic that affects communities across the globe, particularly vulnerable groups such as children. Worldwide, an estimated 236,000 people die from drowning every year. It is considered the third-leading cause of unintentional injury and death globally and children, males and individuals with increased access to water are most at risk for drowning.

At home, younger children are more likely to drown in the bathtub or backyard pool. Parents must realize the dangers of leaving young children and babies alone, even for a brief period of time around water.

Here are some recommendations that are proven to improve water safety at home for all families, especially those with young children: