Safety in the Water

Te Ao Hou, December 1962, Page 17

Safety in the Water by S. V. Higgins Maoris are twice as likely to die by drowning as other New Zealanders! There are statistics to prove this startling fact. In the 12 months ended April 30, 1962, the 122 people who were drowned included 18 Maoris—one seventh of the total. But the Maori population is approximately one-fourteenth of the total population of New Zealand; the Maori drowning rate is therefore twice that for the whole population. Six of the Maoris drowned during this time (one-third of the total) were 15 years or younger. Five were men between 21 and 30 and two were men in the 31–40 age group; some were married men with families. The six children were all young lives full of promise which a growing race can ill afford to lose. How did they die? These tragedies can teach us how to keep young lives safe. Two boys under five drowned while playing in water (a river and a lagoon) with other children, but without an adult or responsible teenager to look after them. You should never let toddlers near water of any sort without someone to protect them. To be absolutely sure they are safe when playing around the house, the yard must be securely fenced and the gate kept shut. If possible all water hazards—wells, troughs, tanks, reservoirs, sheep dips, and drains, as well as creeks, rivers, lakes, ponds and pools dangerously close to the house—should be made harmless by fencing them off. When you can, cover them over.