2023-07-07 15:42:53
Supervision of young children, learning to swim as early as possible, or choosing safe areas are among the recommendations to avoid drowning. THOMAS SAMSON / AFP
In June, 233 drownings, including 84 fatal, occurred in France, Public Health France announced on Friday July 7, emphasizing prevention as school holidays approach. “The number of drownings and deaths remains high during the first four weeks of June 2023”according to the first epidemiological point on summer drownings.
From June 1 to 28, however, the number of drownings fell across the country compared to the same period in 2022 (253) and 2021 (310). In France, accidental drowning kills around 1,000 people every year (including around 400 in summer).
In June 2021, the lifting of restrictive measures to fight against Covid-19, associated with favorable weather for swimming, was able to “explain some of the large number of drownings”according to the National Public Health Agency.
During the first four weeks of June, this year, 84 drownings were fatal, an almost stable number compared to the same periods in 2022 and 2021. But, in proportion, the drownings of this beginning of summer were more frequently fatal (36 %, compared to 34% and 26%).
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Permanent supervision of young children
It is among adults that the fatal drownings have been the most numerous until now, a minority of children under the age of 6 being victims. “We must remain cautious about the interpretation: this may be linked to risky practices that have persisted among adults. The proportion may change over the next few weeks. and holidays, commented Aymeric Ung, from Public Health France, during a press conference.
Over the past three years, the daily number of drownings has been higher on weekends and during hot periods (second weekend of June 2021, heat wave from June 15 to 19, 2022 or last weekend of June 2023).
The publication of the first summer point is done “on the last school day so that as much information and prevention advice as possible are disseminated when leaving on vacation”explained Mr. Ung. “Almost all accidental drownings can be avoided with simple preventive measures”he insisted.
Active and permanent supervision of young children, learning to swim as early as possible, choice of secure areas, vigilance with the weather are among the recommendations. A campaign is deployed by the public authorities until July 14, in order to inform of the risks of drowning.
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Since 2003, Public Health France surveys have identified all drownings treated by the emergency services.
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