Police warn public about water safety

Summer is here and the school holiday is fast approaching.

This is again the time when swimming in a pool of cool water is alluring, but also when many people, especially children drown.

Brig Leonard Hlathi, Mpumalanga’s spokesman for the police, said parents and caregivers are once more urged to closely monitor their children to avoid unfortunate incidents such as drowning.

“As the temperatures rise, jumping into a pool or 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 a small amount of water, often without any sound or warning. Parents should be extremely vigilant whenever their children are near water.”

Brig Hlathi said 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.”

He gave the following vital water safety tips:
• 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 and sinks immediately after use.
• Never leave children (even those who can swim) unattended in, around or near pools or water sources – not even for a few moments.
• 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.

Safety tips around 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.

Brig Hlathi appealed to the public to be very careful when crossing rivers and bridges and to report any incident of drowning that they might see in the community.
“By following these simple rules, tragedy can be avoided,” explained Brig Hlathi.