Don’t be a victim of drowning this summer

Athlenda Mathe, the media liaison officer at Netcare 911, said drownings increase in the hot season, primarily because people are near pools more often.

Inside your home

· Never leave small children alone in the bath

· Use a non-slip mat in the bath

· Empty baths, tubs and other containers after use or, when full, keep behind locked doors

· Never use a bathtub seat or supporting ring without constant adult supervision

· Install a toilet lid locking device and keep bathroom doors closed at all times

Outdoors

· Children should learn how to swim as soon as possible. It is 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.

· Warn against boisterous play in or near water

· 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

Around the pool

· The gate should have a self-latching mechanism

· Do not prop open the pool gate

· Use safety covers for pools not in use

· Never leave a child unattended near a pool

· Do not use flotation toys as life preservers

· Never assume your child is drown-proof even if they can swim

· Remove toys from the pool when kids are finished swimming to prevent them from trying to recover them when unsupervised

· Empty out all water from a wading pool when you are finished using it

· Remove any ladders from an above ground pool when not in use

· If you leave your child with a babysitter make sure she/he knows your rules for the pool

Helping a child in trouble

Throw the victim something that floats or offer a long object to hold onto. At all costs, avoid a double tragedy. Discourage children from jumping in. If you must go in, take something for the child to hold onto rather than permitting him to grab you. Warn children about faking cries for help or pretending to be in trouble. Everybody in your home should be taught simple rescue methods and first aid, especially cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Also read:

Child (2) drowns in Northmead

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