Smyrna times., 1924-05-21
DELAWARE SAFETY COUNCILS
EFFORT TO REDUCE DROWNING
80 FATAL ACCIDENTS LAST YEAR
DUE LARGELY TO CARELESNESS
Organized Prevention to Be Made in
Every Large Town in State Includ-
ing Smyrna, June 16 to 20

ing Smyrna, June 10 to 70
Every man, woman and child
swimmer and all swimming supervis-
ed is the answer of Delaware Safety
Council to the age old question "What
can be done to minimize drowning" ?"
"With thirty fatal water accidents in |
Delaware in 1923, nine of which were |
in Wilmington district, we have a
problem which demands the serious |
consideration of our whole citizen
ship" said Joseph H. Martin, Presi-
dent of the Council. '"The Council
heartily endorses the Fifth Annual
Red Cross Swimming and Water Life
Saving Campaign to be held June 16
to 20. We trust that every adult who
does not swim will avail him or her
self of this opportunity to learn. And
We hope that all parents will insist
that their children learn to SWIM"
Continuing, Mr.. Martin said: "Bath-
ing in unprotected or unsupervised To-
caities undoubtedly is the cause of
many summer drowning fatalities"
This fact is apparent to anyone ia
miliar with the sight Of the thous-
ands bathing daily in comparative
safety within the life lines of large
protected bathing areas maintained at
the Jersey beach resorts. Swimming
must be localized and two things must
be taken into consideration in the
selection of localities. First, the bot
tom of the bathing area should be
free from holes, quicksands, mud,
boulders or material that might en-
danger or injure swimmers. Second,
swimming facilities should be adja-
cent to populous sections of the city.
Organized prevention of drowning
should not be limited to Wilmington.
Rehoboth, Lewes, Milford, Seaford,
Dover, Smyrna, Newark, Delaware
City, New Castle and all other towns
presenting such bathing facilities and
hence water hazards should organize
to meet the problem. 1t is quite
within reason to suggest that signs
should be erected to prohibit bathing
at dangerous localities; that life saw
ing appliances should be placed where
necessary; that volunteer life saving
corps should be organized. Municip-
alties of sufficient Importance to main
tain fire departments should insist on
their firemen being properly trained in
artificial respiration and that the de-
partments be supplied with first aid
appliances so that they would be in a
position to respond to calls in cases
of emergency"
Five fatal and one hundred and
twenty-six non-fatal accidents are the
April toll of carelessness, recklessness
and unsafe practices in the State ac-
cording to the April statistical report
just issued by the Delaware Safety
Council. Only one fatal accident oc-
Cured in Wilmington but $3.50 of all
non-fatal accidents happened in the
"First City," More than four out of
every five accidents involved the auto
mobile.
The record of fatalities is as fol
lows:
Linwood Wilson, colored, died from
effects of injuries received when hi
fell from an automobile at Main street
and South College Avenue, Newark
April 8.
Ray T. Shaw, young Wilmington
High School student died from injur
les received when automobile he wa
cranking broke loose and ran owe
him, April 18th.
Elwood Birmingham was killed in
circular saw accident at Laurel, Apri
10th.
Amos johnson and Annie TruXol
were killed when an automobile i
which they were riding was struck b.
train at FELTON,, Delaware, April Z.