The City of Johannesburg has launched a Drowning is Preventable campaign.
Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) noted the increase in drowning incidents that occur during the summer season. They have now partnered with Swimming South Africa and primary schools in and around the City to roll out the learn how to swim campaign.
“This year, we are working toward an incident-free summer season and we strongly request parents to assist us,” said Robert Mulaudzi, media liaison officer, City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS).
Statistics indicate a huge number of drowning incidents occur in homes and children under the age of five are usually the victims. “It is imperative that parents supervise their children all the times while swimming, even if they have received professional lessons,” said Mulaudzi.
The collaboration is premised upon a strategic goal to increase the accessibility of public swimming pools to the community and to ensure that children are empowered with a swimming skill and also measures to take during flooding incidents. In the past year, the City’s emergency services have responded to over 10 drowning incidents in the Diepsloot area, alone.
The department recorded and responded to 65 drownings and near-drowning incidents between September last year and February this year within the City of Joburg.
Through the public education section, the City will be intensifying its efforts with an emphasis on general water safety. This programme will target the most vulnerable in various informal settlements, especially school-going pupils in lower grades.
As part of the learn-to-swim programme, mobile swimming pools will be used to demonstrate in schools.
“Safety is our collective responsibility and we urge the city’s residents to work with us to make Joburg Safe. EMS is committed to reducing water-related incidents and fatalities that may happen within the city during the summer season,” concluded Mulaudzi.
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Here are a few swimming safety tips:
- Learn to swim and teach children to swim
- Learn how to perform CPR
- Know your emergency numbers: 10177 and 112
- Use your municipal pools at all times because they have lifeguards on site
- Do not swim in rivers and dams
- Do not let young children swim alone, even if they have received professional lessons.
It is important to ensure that:
- Swimming pools are covered at all times while not in use
- There is a fence with a locked gate around your swimming pool.
Details: 10177 or 011 375 5911.
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