Child drowning highlights pool safety

According to a friend of the family who employ the domestic worker, her son, known as Mikey, fell into a resident’s pool which was uncovered and unfenced. They suspect Mikey followed the family pet, a labrador named Tobey. “He must have played too close to the pool and fell in,” the friend said. “Tobey was sitting beside the pool looking into it when we found Mikey.”

Despite prolonged CPR rescue efforts by residents, security personnel and paramedics, Mikey did not survive.

The employers of the domestic worker, who did not want to be named said, “Mikey was like a ray of sunshine who embraced each moment of his short life to the fullest. He was dearly loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him, both children and adults alike. He will be sorely missed and our hearts go out to his parents.”

Clive Humphrey, managing director of ADT central region, said that swimming pools should be better safeguarded. He applauded the new proposed rule that no child under the age of seven be permitted to be alone in a swimming pool. “We have always urged residents to take pool safety seriously and to be extra vigilant at ensuring that swimming pools are off limits to small children,” Humphrey said.

New regulations state that all residential swimming pools need to be registered with the City of Joburg and have to be surrounded by a wall or fence which is tall enough to keep a seven-year-old child out.

Humphrey said that domestic workers’ children often came to stay with their parents during the school holidays so it is vital that they are properly educated on the pool area rules, especially if employers are working or away. “Better yet, send your domestic worker for swimming lessons if they can’t swim,” he said.

He added, “I cannot stress enough the importance of having pool safety measures in place in your home.”