Public lacks safety awareness

2024年2月13日發(作者：讀后感300字)

Expert: Public lacks safety awareness

More emergency training urged after the Shanghai New Year stampede disaster.

Public curity and first aid experts said officials and the public need to rai

their awareness of the potential risks in denly crowded places.

"For large activities such as New Year celebrations in downtown areas, risk

asssment and respon evaluation are very important. They should be conducted in

advance so administrators can u them as a basis for appropriate safety measures,"

said Qin Liqiang, a professor at People's Public Security University of China, who

rearches curity management at large public events.

"I'm unsure of the details of this accident, but it tells me that we need to

strengthen the prior-asssment procedures, especially in places where people are

likely to gather, and apply the measures strictly," he said.

He suggested the Shanghai administration may need to add more staff, and said

volunteers may also be needed in some places to work with police and other curity

staff.

Shao Feng, director of the Chine Red Cross National Training Center, said the

tragedy reflected the relatively low public awareness of emergency respon

procedures. The center and its branches provide the public with training in emergency

respons and first aid. "We will conduct rearch and integrate stampede-respon

procedures into our training," he said. "That could prevent accidental deaths, which in

truth are preventable, and therefore it is very important for everyone."

The organization mainly teaches the public how to respond to emergencies and

disasters such as fire, earthquakes, and road accidents.

"More training about how to save lives should be arranged for students," Shao

said.

Awareness of correct emergency respons remains relatively low in China, where

only 1 percent of the population has received training, he said.

Official statistics show that China has about 1.2 million emergencies every year,

resulting in at least 200,000 deaths and 1.7 million rious injuries. "The culture of

safety education is lacking among Chine people. For example, do people read the

safety notices when they stay in a hotel room?" Qin said.

In 2014, a nationwide survey about safety procedures in the event of fire found

that awareness of the locations of safety exits and routes in crowded spaces was

extremely low. "People must learn some basic principles in ca disasters occur in

public places," Qin said. "My first point is that it's better not to go to overcrowded

places, but if you do, take extra care around areas such as steps, bridges, crossroads,

and near large advertising hoardings, where stampedes are most likely to happen."

The stampede on the Bund occurred at steps near Chen Yi Square and at a nearby

cross-road. "Another esntial is to have a good understanding of the safety routes or

equipment when you go to an unfamiliar place. You should know the location of safe

zones before joining the crowds," Qin said.

"However, I don't agree with canceling all large celebrations or events just

becau of one accident. 'Once bitten, twice shy (一朝被蛇咬，十年怕井繩)' is not an

appropriate respon. What we need to do is learn the lessons," he said.

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