Safety around water remains a major concern

While the country has been vigilant about the number of Covid-19 cases, another figure that has also been on the rise is the number of drownings in the country.

Sea Rescue reports that approximately 1500 people die from drowning each year. Children under 14 account for 30 per cent [450] of these drownings.

The majority of the drownings occur in Kwazulu Natal (KZN) with 25 per cent followed by Eastern Cape at 20 per cent and thereafter the Western Cape at 10 per cent.

Drownings are more likely to occur on Saturdays, Sundays and between the hours of 15.00 to 16.00 with most of the drownings take place in dams and rivers.

People who live away from the coast are also at risk of drowning and water safety should also be uppermost in people’s minds.

Some advice for around your home

Consider those containers of stored washing or bathwater.

They could be a death trap to a curious toddler, who can fall in and drown, even in a few centimetres of water. It happens so quickly!

Seal, empty or place these containers out of reach of children and make sure you have all you need before bathing babies or young children; never leave them alone to fetch something elsewhere in the house. Young children should always be within sight or hearing of an adult.

People who have swimming pools should ensure that gates to the pool are secure and nets are installed. Even children who can swim must be supervised.

Some advice when around rivers and dams

Collecting water and doing washing should not have to end in a fatality like it has done for others this year already.

Be vigilant and know where the people are that you came to the river or dam with; particularly young children who can so quickly wander off.

Constantly be aware of how safe you are by checking the water depth around you and beware as rocks may be slippery.

A familiar river can become extremely dangerous when it is in flood.

With the dirty water, it becomes difficult to see where you are stepping and you could step into a hole, become unbalanced by stepping onto debris like fallen branches or slide on a slippery rock. The water also moves with so much force that you can very quickly be carried away.

Should anyone fall into the water, do not enter to try and rescue them. Too often a person drowns too when they are trying to save a friend.

It is safer to rather use a stick that they can hold onto while you pull them out.

You can also throw something for them to hold onto like an item of clothing, towel, an item that floats, like an empty, sealed plastic container works well too.

Know the emergency number, 112, and where possible learn CPR. It can save a life.

Sea Rescue water safety instructors, who are present in some provinces usually go out into schools and communities to do water safety presentations.

For more information on water safety, contact Slindile Mthethwa on 060 304 5232 or email: fortunate@searescue.org.za

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