Drowning really is a silent killer.

Countless testimonials from parents who have lost a child to drowning have been recorded with the parents shock that they “did not even hear a splash”.

Pool safety cannot be over emphasized because every day more than one child drowns in South Africa.

The Medical Research Council lists drowning as the third-highest cause of accidental deaths in children under the age of five, with only motor vehicle accidents and shack fires being higher risks.

According to GEMS most drownings and near-drownings happen when a child falls into a pool, or is left alone in the bath.

Ninety per cent of children who drown were under some sort of supervision at the time.

The majority of drownings occur in residential pools.

The consequences of near-drownings are as, if not more frightening.

For every child that dies from drowning, five suffer from permanent brain damage as a result of near-drowning.

It takes only four minutes without oxygen for irreversible brain damage to occur.

These are statistics that parents cannot afford to ignore.

Safe-guard your pool

Install a swimming pool alarm

1. The Aqua Watch Swimming Pool Alarm is an electronic monitoring system that automatically sounds an alarm when a child or pet over 5kg, falls into your pool.

Equipped with state-of-the-art pool alarm technology – subsurface wave detection – it is simple to operate and has been subjected to rigorous testing before being released into the market.

Entry into the pool will be detected by the unit’s electronic sensor, thus triggering a loud pulsating alarm on the pool side fitted unit and on a wireless receiver placed within your home.

Request a quote from High Temp Solar Solutions here.

NOTE: Swimming pool alarms are most effective when combined with several other “layers of protection” for pool safety and are no substitute for proper supervision and safe swimming practices.

2. Install safety nets and surround your pool with a lockable fence.

Pool safety

• Supervision is key – Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within arm’s reach to provide active supervision. Drownings often occur when a number of supervisors are nearby but everyone thought someone else was watching the child. Make sure to clearly designate responsibility.
• Gather everything needed (towel, toys, sunscreen) before the child enters the water; if you must leave the area, take the child with you
• Teach children to swim from a young age. Most children can learn to swim at about age five – but it is not unknown for toddlers to learn from as young as three.
• Even strong swimmers need adult supervision. A child who can swim may hit his or her head while playing and drown.
• Insist on life jackets for children who cannot swim. But remember a child can still drown while wearing a life jacket.
• Do not allow running around the pool. A child could slip and fall.
• Remove toys from the pool – A child may fall into the water while trying to retrieve a toy.
• Remove the water from the inflatable paddling pool when you are finished using it.

(Pool safety tips courtesy of Arrive Alive).