With the school holidays officially underway, parents and caregivers are once more urged to closely monitor their children in order to avoid unfortunate incidents like drowning.
The most important rule of water safety is that everyone should respect water, the water environment and the dangers involved. Always be on the lookout for advisory signs in both natural and public environments.
As summer begins and the temperatures rise, jumping into a pool or a cool natural water source offers great relief. That type of refreshment, however, can spell disaster if children are not properly supervised.
A child can drown within seconds of going underwater, even in just one inch of water, often without any sounds or warning. Parents should be extremely vigilant whenever their children are near water.
Besides water safety, the SAPS also reminds parents that they should never leave their children unattended in a closed or locked motor vehicle, even with the windows left open. You can be charged with child neglect.
The SAPS has issued these vital tips for water safety:
- Never swim alone. Use the buddy system and maintain eye contact.
- Ensure that the water depths are appropriate for swimming and diving.
- Children should be constantly supervised when they are near water, even during bath time.
- Empty baths, basins, sinks immediately after use.
- Never leave children (even those who can swim) unattended in, around or near pools or other water sources – not even for a few moments. A child can drown in the moment it takes to answer a phone.
- Keep pool areas locked and secure when not in use.
- Swim only in supervised and approved areas.
- Enforce water safety rules. No running, pushing or dunking.
- Take all toys out of the pool when not swimming so that children will not be tempted to go after the toys.
- Learn CPR and water rescue techniques and always have emergency numbers at hand.
Rivers
- Never cross overflowing rivers.
- Be careful not to stand on an overhanging bank.
- Before entering the water, check for the presence and strength of a current.
- If caught in a fast river current, float feet first in order to absorb any impact with the feet and legs, thus protecting the head and body from serious injury.
- Extreme care should always be taken when entering rivers because of their changeable nature.
- The police is appealing to members of the community to be very careful when crossing rivers and bridges and report any incident of drowning that they might see in the community.
As people cool down this summer, keeping safe at the pool, beach or any natural water source must remain a top priority. By following these simple rules, tragedy can be avoided. #WaterSafety
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