This is the first step of a nationwide campaign, China Children's Safety Action, which was launched in Beijing on March 31 that also seeks to educate children on avoiding accidental injury or death. The campaign will end on December 31.

Statistics show that one fourth of child deaths in China are caused by accidents, making it the No 1 killer of Chinese children under the age of 14.

According to experts, most of the accidental injuries or deaths are caused by carelessness or ignorance, which can be avoided with better security, knowledge and control.

Gao Yanming, director of Safety Action, said children's safety was relevant to every family and Safety Action would help build a safe and peaceful living environment for children.

A survey will also be carried out to investigate the types, causes and results of children's accidental injuries and deaths.

Children will be encouraged to be aware of potential safety dangers and learn how to protect themselves.

Cultivation of a sense of self-protection is an important part of Safety Action, as Chinese children do not know how to protect themselves, said Gao.

"The security of children deserves attention from the whole society. We hope more and more people will get involved into this safety action," said Gao.

Safety Action's aim is not to ask the children to merely remember the lines about safety in books, but to teach them the skills of coping with accidents through games, lectures and knowledge competitions.

(Xinhua News Agency April 20, 2003)