The figures are shocking as no less than five people have lost their lives during bein hazmanim in Eretz Yisrael, and no less than 23 others were injured in a series of disasters ranging from children drowning, to road accidents or dangers associated with hiking.

Orly Silvinger, the director of Beterem for Children’s Safety, is quoted telling Kikar Shabbos News that “at this stage of the year, we can declare that we are in a state of emergency in terms of children’s drowning.” According to her, “the figures speak for themselves: 28 children drowned to death, and we are in the midst of the summer, not the end.”

The organization calls upon the chareidi leadership to show public responsibility at this time, in light of the commandment “ונשמרתם מאד לנפשותיכם” and in light of the increasing number of disasters in the chareidi sector.

[HaRav Shlomo Amar: Bein Hazmanim Tragedies Resulting from Bitul Torah]

“The chareidi leadership must enlist in a process of education and public relations, deepening awareness and knowledge of possible awareness of physical and mental damage, especially among children and youth who endanger themselves, often without their knowledge,” they say.

Silvinger adds that “it is important to understand that drowning is preventable, and that babies and toddlers can also drown in water that is only 10 centimeters deep, so when one is in a water environment, one must keep close and continuous supervision [on children] within touching distance of the child without distraction.

“When one is having an outing or on vacation with the children, one should decide on a grown-up adult, and the adult on duty should be free from any occupation and not take his eyes off the children. The drowning occurs quickly and in silence. A drowning child does not signal that he is in distress, does not shout and does not call for help. Two minutes after the drowning occurs loss of consciousness and after 4-6 minutes irreversible brain damage occurs until death.”

[HaGaon HaRav Edelstein: Bein Hazmanim is More Dangerous Because Less Torah is Being Learned]

YWN-Israel has reported some of the tragedies, including the recent fatal drowning of a child in a tzimmer (vacation cabin) pool inside the Bnei Brak couple’s room.

In another case, B’chasdei Hashem, a child was rescued from a Tzefas mikve before it was too late. Tzefas Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi HaGaon HaRav Bistritzky Shlita calls on parents to prohibit small children from going to a mikve without adult supervision.

Another child downed in a small quantity of water, in a pail, at home, and was niftar in Shaare Zedek Hospital a few days later.

Persons setting out for hikes during bein hazmanim, adults alone or with children must be properly equipped. This means to dress appropriately, the correct shoes, an ample supply of water, and a phone. One should also make officials aware of their presence and follow approved routes. In one recent case, experienced hikers from Beit Shemesh had to be rescued from the Tekoa area. However, because they knew what they were doing, and prepared properly, despite getting lost, the day ended without injury or worse.

All too often, chareidi families lacking the knowledge and experience set out for hikes and find themselves in need of assistance, resulting in a search and rescue operations for the professionals. This can and should be avoided, usually by following approved routes an following the instructions.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)