Tshwane Emergency Services share key swimming safety tips
Parents are urged to closely monitor children when they are swimming in swimming pools.
The summer season has begun, and this period often brings an increased risk of drowning incidents, particularly among children, in residential swimming pools.
While the Emergency Services Department does not have by-laws governing swimming pool use, the department strongly urges parents to prioritise safety and ensure strict supervision when children are swimming.
Spokesperson Deputy Chief Nana Radebe-Kgiba said the department encourages families to enrol children in accredited learn-to-swim programmes to equip them with essential water safety skills.
To promote safer swimming environments, the Emergency Services Department shares the following important safety guidelines:
Constant Adult Supervision
– Never leave children unattended near a swimming pool.
– An adult who can swim should always be within arm’s reach.
– Avoid distractions such as phones, TV or loud music when supervising children in or near water.
Check the weather
– Avoid swimming during thunderstorms.
– Lightning and strong winds pose serious dangers to swimmers.
Basic Life Support
– Ensure the scene is safe, with no visible hazards.
– Check for breathing and pulse.
– If the person has pulse and is breathing, monitor breathing and pulse, reassess patient and call for help.
– Has pulse but no effective breathing, give rescue breaths (for adults every 6 seconds, for children every 3 seconds and infants every 2 seconds)
– Remember to call 107 for all fire and rescue incidents.
Radebe-Kgiba said the Tshwane Emergency Services Department calls on all communities to remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions to prevent drownings.
“By working together, we can ensure a safer and more enjoyable summer festive season for everyone,” she said.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok or WhatsApp Channel
