🌊 World Drowning Prevention Day (25 July): A Wake-Up Call for Water Safety in Nigeria

🌊 World Drowning Prevention Day (25 July): A Wake-Up Call for Water Safety in Nigeria

By Susan Omenuko | EOON Care

Every year on 25th July, the world pauses to mark World Drowning Prevention Day, an initiative of the United Nations General Assembly. It’s not just another awareness day—it’s a solemn reminder of a silent but deadly epidemic. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 236,000 lives are lost to drowning annually, making it one of the top ten leading causes of death among children and young people aged 1–24 years.

For Nigeria, where water safety education and emergency services are not yet widely accessible, this global observance is not just symbolic—it’s a call to action.

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🇳🇬 The Nigerian Reality: A Hidden Public Health Crisis

Nigeria's natural landscape is dotted with rivers, streams, open wells, and unguarded water bodies, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. These are often lifelines for everyday life—used for cooking, bathing, and travel—but they also pose grave risks.

Children are especially vulnerable. Inadequate adult supervision, lack of swimming skills, overcrowded boats, and flood-prone coastal states like Lagos, Rivers, and Bayelsa all combine to make drowning a daily threat.

The WHO’s 2021 Global Drowning Report reveals that the African region has the highest drowning rates in the world, yet this issue remains grossly under-reported and under-prioritised in health planning.

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🤝 How EOON Care Can Lead Change

At EOON Care, our mission to provide person-centred care, supervision, and companionship places us in a powerful position to champion drowning prevention, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children, older adults, and persons with disabilities.

Our Caregiver Network Is Key

Through our caregiver training programmes, aligned with both Nigerian standards and the UK Care Certificate, we equip care assistants with critical knowledge on:

• Risk assessment around water

• Infection control and emergency hygiene

• Safeguarding vulnerable adults and children

These skills can easily be expanded to include basic water safety, supervision near water bodies, and emergency response tips—simple interventions that save lives.

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🛟 Prevention Starts at Home and in the Community

EOON Care can play a frontline role by:

• Integrating water safety awareness into home visit routines and induction training.

• Educating families during care assessments on securing wells, fencing off water access points, and using child-safe containers.

• Collaborating with NGOs and government agencies to deliver community-led drowning prevention initiatives—from awareness walks to school-based swim safety programmes.

We believe that drowning is not fate—it is preventable. Our presence in homes, schools, and care settings allows us to shift public perception and introduce real change.

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💙 A Collective Responsibility

World Drowning Prevention Day is not just for policymakers or first responders—it’s for all of us. As Nigeria continues to face the challenges of urban expansion, climate change, and poor drainage systems, we must all take proactive steps to protect our most vulnerable.

At EOON Care, we are proud to be part of the solution. Through education, supervision, and partnership, we are committed to building safer communities and saving lives—one household at a time.

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📣 Take Action with EOON Care

🛡️ Let’s make water safety part of everyday care.
🧑‍⚕️ Join our caregiver training.
💬 Partner with us on drowning prevention outreach.

Drowning is preventable. Every life saved matters.

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EOON Care is Here to Help!
We specialise in elder care services to support family bonding and improve the quality of life for your elderly loved ones.

Let EOON Care be part of your family’s journey toward building stronger connections!
Stay healthy, stay informed!

Contact Us:
📞 Nigeria Office: +234 816 7929 521
🟢 WhatsApp only: 234 816 7929 521
📧 Email: info@eooncare.com
🌐 Website: www.eooncare.com

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#DrowningPreventionDay #StopDrowning #EOONCare #CaregiversWithCompassion #WaterSafety #ElderCareNigeria #CommunityCare #WorldDrowningPreventionDay