Save your life, follow the rules of conduct during the summer period

Summer is a time for rest and recreation, but minors do not always think about the rules of conduct during this period.

Often, minors sustain numerous injuries during the summer period due to increased free time and parents' attention not always being focused on the child.

To prevent accidents, injuries, and fatalities among minors, it is necessary to observe the basic rules of conduct during the summer period.

When swimming in water bodies, you should know and observe the following rules:

do not chew gum while in the water;

it is better to choose places for swimming where the water is clean, the bottom is flat and sandy, the depth is shallow, there is no strong current or whirlpools, and no motorboats are passing through the water;

swimming should begin when the air temperature is +20-25°C and the water temperature is +17-19°C. Enter the water cautiously, stop in a shallow area, and immerse yourself with your head;

you can stay in the water for 10-15 minutes. Never let yourself shiver, as it is harmful to your health. Hypothermia in the water can cause life-threatening cramps, and your arms and legs can seize up. In such a case, you should swim on your back. If you panic and stop swimming, you can drown;

when swimming in choppy water, you should carefully ensure that you inhale in the intervals between waves. When swimming against the waves, you should calmly rise over a steep wave and slide down it. Do not enter the water in strong waves. If you get caught in a strong current, do not swim against it, as you can easily exhaust yourself. It is better to swim with the current, gradually approaching the shore;

do not go to the water body alone. While sitting on the shore, protect your head from overheating and sunstroke;

never swim near whirlpools – they are the greatest danger in the water. They pull swimmers to great depths with such force that even experienced swimmers cannot always escape. If you get caught in a whirlpool, take a deep breath, dive into the water, and make a strong push sideways with the current, then surface. If you get tangled in aquatic plants, do not make sudden movements or jerks, as this will tighten the plant loops even more. It is better to lie on your back and try to swim out gently and calmly in the direction you came from. If this does not help, you should pull your legs up and carefully free yourself from the plants with your hands;

Diving in places of unknown depth is even more dangerous, as you can hit your head on sand or clay, break your cervical vertebrae, lose consciousness, and die. It is no less dangerous to jump headfirst into the water from rafts, piers, and other floating structures. There may be piles, rails, stones, and glass shards underwater. You can only dive where there is sufficient depth, clear water, and a level bottom.

Adherence to the specified rules of conduct on water bodies can save lives and prevent adverse situations.

During the summer period of 2023 alone, two children, aged 14 and 17, lost their lives. The accidents occurred in Polotsk and Postavy.

One of the accidents occurred while a minor was swimming in an artificial body of water.

In this regard, parents should also pay attention to the issue of minors swimming in artificial bodies of water located on private properties, excluding cases of children swimming unsupervised by adults.

It should be noted that legislation establishes administrative liability for swimming in prohibited areas of rivers, lakes, or other water bodies in the form of a fine ranging from 1 to 3 base units.

When on the road, minors must observe the following precautions:

pedestrians must walk on sidewalks or pedestrian paths;

when moving in the dark, pedestrians must carry items with retroreflective elements;

pedestrians must cross the roadway at pedestrian crossings, including underground and overpasses;

in places where traffic is regulated, pedestrians must be guided by the signals of a traffic controller or pedestrian traffic light;

upon entering the roadway, pedestrians must not linger or stop. Pedestrians who have not finished crossing must stop at the line dividing traffic flows in opposite directions. They can continue crossing only after ensuring the safety of further movement and taking into account the traffic light (traffic controller) signal;

at unregulated pedestrian crossings, pedestrians may enter the roadway after assessing the distance to approaching vehicles, their speed, and ensuring that the crossing will be safe for them.

When visiting a forest, the following rules of conduct should be observed:

do not go into the forest alone;

use a compass, avoid walking in rainy or overcast weather;

wear rubber footwear, trousers or track pants tucked into boots to protect against snake and insect bites;

wear headwear, cover your neck and arms to prevent tick bites;

move through bushes and thickets carefully, gently parting and lowering branches;

do not smoke or light fires to avoid fires, and do not litter; empty bottles and shards can cause fires;

in case of a forest fire, be aware of high temperatures, smoke, falling burnt trees, and ground collapses in burnt areas.

Adherence to safety rules during the summer period will help prevent accidents and preserve your life and health.

Deputy Prosecutor

of Verkhnedvinsk District

Junior Justice Counselor       

 M.V. Lavdansky