Primary and secondary students across Shenzhen are enjoying their two-month summer vacation which started on July 9. For many students, they are spending their summer frolicking in the sun and enjoying their free time, but amidst all the fun it is important to remember to always be safe.

During the summer, one of the main risks many students face is the risk of drowning. Summer is the season for swimming after all, so it is key that safety precautions are taken by both students and parents before they enter any pools.

In “A Letter to Parents” from the Education Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, parents are advised to teach students the following: do not go into pools and swim without permission; do not swim without parents or teachers in the vicinity; do not swim in waters without safety facilities and rescue staff; do not swim in unfamiliar waters; do not try to rescue those drowning by yourself. Instead, you should act wisely and ask adults for help.

Li Hongquan, safety director of Shenzhen No.2 Experimental School, said most of the drowning accidents happen in rivers, lakes, the sea, reservoirs and ponds, so swimmers should take caution when swimming in such environments. “Students should stay vigilant even in swimming pools,” Li said. According to Li, many students who can swim, drown because of carelessness. Therefore, from his perspective, it’s very important for students to learn how to save themselves in the event of an emergency. Students should be accompanied by parents when swimming and should also stretch before swimming to avoid cramps or spasms.

During summer vacation, students should also pay extra attention when going out. In “A Letter to Parents,” the education bureau warned students under 12 not to ride bikes on streets. Li said even for students over 12, they should check the brakes and tires of the bikes before they ride them.

When traveling, Li advised that minors should go in groups and be accompanied by adults and should go to well-equipped scenic spots instead of newly developed or remote ones.

Apart from the physical safety and well-being of students, parents should also be concerned about their mental health. Wang Qiuying, director of Shenzhen Municipal Mental Health Education and Consultation Center, said during the summer vacation, it is particularly easy for students to get overly engrossed in video games. She suggested that high school students should spend no more than two hours a day playing video games and younger students should spend no more than one hour. Parents should tighten their observation and supervision for less disciplined students by paying close attention to their children and guiding them to make better decisions. Parents should spare time to listen to their children and spend more time watching movies or going out with children to strengthen their relationships.

(Yang Mei)