Be vigilant around water to prevent drowning

The lungs are the life-sustaining organs found in the chest cavity. The main function is to supply the other vital organs with oxygen from the atmosphere via the circulatory system to sustain life.

Drowning is a respiratory impairment because of being submerged in a liquid, predominantly water. The results of drowning can either be near or complete drowning.

One doesn’t need copious amount of water to drown, only a few drops inside the airway could cause drowning.

DEMS under the City of Ekurhuleni urged parents to be safety conscious and ensure their children are safe during the hot summer days.

Schools are now closed and children will be roaming around enjoying their holidays. The temptation of swimming in unmonitored open water pods is very high.

Drowning prevention tips:
• Know where your child is and doing always.
• Keep them away from rivers, lakes and all other open water sources.
• Fence the pool and keep the gate locked.
• A coversheet should be in place when the pool is not in use.
• While swimming in the pool, children should be under adult supervision.
• Ritual and religious practices in and around rivers and lakes by adults could still result in a drowning. Life jackets must be worn by those entering the water.
• Cross the river using an appropriate route, such as vehicle and pedestrian bridges, not water and sewerage pipes constructed over the rivers.

Emergency numbers
National toll-free number: 10177 or 112 from a cellphone
Life-threatening Ekurhuleni emergency line: 011 458 0911