KUALA LUMPUR: Parents and adults should always monitor their children and other kids while at the beach or water recreation locations.
National Water Activity Safety Council (NWSC) member, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said in a statement today that adults are responsible for ensuring the safety of children at all times as they may not be aware of the risk of accidents in the area.
He said there were frequent reports of parents who allow their children to play in the water without any supervision, resulting in heartbreaking drowning tragedies.
“Although the monsoon season this time is not as serious like some years ago, we have to make a new year’s resolution to achieve zero drowning deaths or at least reduce the number of cases each year.
“I urge the government, stakeholders, non-governmental organisations, schools and parents to work towards achieving zero drowning rate or reduce the incidence of drowning,” he said.
Lee also expressed his condolences to the family of the three sisters, Nurain Salsabila Zawawi, 6, Nurain Sofia, 8, and Nurain Fatma, 10, from Kampung Peringat, Kelantan, who drowned in Pantai Sura Tengah, Dungun, on Sunday when they were swept away by big waves while playing on the beach.
He said the public should also understand and adhere to the warnings given, for example a raised white flag on the beach is an all-clear sign, indicating that it is safe to swim and for other water activities while a red flag was a warning to all to stay away from the water. — Bernama
