Make water safety a priority
It is critical for parents and caregivers to always be on the lookout for possible dangers.
The tragic drowning of a six-year-old boy earlier this month after he had fallen into a river near the Joe Slovo informal settlement in Muldersdrift once again has highlighted the importance of water safety.
The boy allegedly was playing with two of his friends when he fell into the water and drowned.
Mike Francisco, security spokesperson for the Muldersdrift Communication Action Group (MCAG) urges residents to take water safety seriously as we approach Christmas and the weather gets warmer.
“The sad reality is that more children drown in rivers than in the sea or even a swimming pool. Very often it does not even happen when they are swimming – they often just fall in and drown.”
He says it is critical for parents and caregivers always to be on the lookout for possible dangers and wherever possible not leave children unattended.
Here are some useful water safety hints to follow both inside your home and outdoors:
Inside your home
• Never leave small children alone in the bath. Ignore the phone and doorbell or take the child along.
• Use a non-slip mat in the bath.
• Empty baths, tubs and other containers after use or, when full, keep behind locked doors.
• Always fit lids firmly on buckets of water. Too many children have drowned in nappy buckets.
Outdoors
• Children should learn how to swim as soon as possible. It’s equally important for them to be trained in survival skills such as floating and treading water. But even then, constant supervision is always necessary.
• A child should never swim alone. Children who cannot swim should stay away from places where they can drown. Remember buoyancy aids such as inflatable wings and tubes are only aids. Don’t rely solely on their protection.
• Warn against boisterous play in or near water. A dam wall or the area around a swimming pool is no place for riding a bicycle.
• Children should practise coping in water with their clothes on.
• Children should never dive or jump into water they are unacquainted with, or when people are in the way.
Swimming pools
• Swimming pools must be fenced off properly and have a childproof lock on the gate. The gate must never be left open.
• To protect a child fully, add a professionally installed pool safety net to cover your pool.
• Even then, know where your child is. Is the neighbour’s pool adequately fenced? And the gate always closed?
• Remember to empty paddling pools when not in use.
The sea and rivers
• The sea is unpredictable. Even in shallow water, constant supervision of children is necessary.
• Beware! A lilo or floating toy many be swept away easily – with your child on it.
• Accidents happen so easily. To allow a child in a boat or canoe without a life-jacket is asking for trouble. The same applies for fishing from the rocks.
Francisco says it is a good idea to give children some advice on coping in case they find themselves in difficulty.
A few hints
• Rule number one: always keep calm.
• Raise one arm and call for help.
• Tread water or float.
• Look around for something buoyant to cling to.
• A cramp in the leg can be relieved by firmly pressing the area or by straightening the leg, forcing the toes upward toward the knee.
• Never try to swim against a current: in the sea – swim parallel to the beach; in a river – swim diagonally with the flow.
If you are in the area and you see a child in trouble
• Throw the victim something that floats or offer a long object to hold on to. It is better than jumping in yourself.
• At all costs, prevent a double tragedy.
• Discourage children from jumping in to help others.
• If you must go in, take something for the child to hold on to rather than permitting him or her to grab you.
• Warn children against faking cries for help or pretending to be in trouble.
“Everybody in your home should be taught simple rescue methods and first aid, especially resuscitation,” concludes Francisco.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.za or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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