Israel’s summer has already proven deadly for more than 30, according to Beterem, an organization promoting safety for children.
Beterem found that 30 children have already lost their lives in traffic accidents, and an additional three died from drowning in separate incidents.
A three-year-old toddler recently drowned in a swimming pool in the Moshav Shakaf in the Lachish Regional Council, a 4-year-old was killed in a car accident in the Negev, and a 10-year-old died in a traffic accident in Ashdod.
Over the past five years, some 236 children were killed in traffic accidents and another 79 from drowning, according to data collected by the organization. Nearly half (44%) of the drowning victims were below four years old.
An additional 150 children, a third under the age of four, have also been hospitalized over drowning incidents, according to the data.
The risk to Israel's children
"In less than 24 hours, three children lost their lives in typical summer accidents," said Beterem CEO Orly Silbinger. "At the same time, traffic accidents have been on the rise throughout the past year.
"During summer vacation, children spend more time outdoors, so when it comes to young children, it's crucial to ensure constant supervision. When it comes to teenagers, make sure they don’t cross the road while using their phones and that they are aware of the dangers around them."
"When near water, children who do not know how to swim must be supervised by an adult without distractions. Don’t say 'it won’t happen to me' – during the summer, the risk of accidents rises," Silbinger said.