Supervise your children near water
Children should have adult supervision at all times, especially where water is involved.
Heavy rains have been experienced in the past couple of days causing extensive destruction in the metro.
Rivers, streams, dams and many other open trenches are filled with water spelling a danger mostly to the innocent and vulnerable members of our society, moreover the children.
“Many children walk by themselves to and from school, across streams and rivers, so parents are urged to accompany them at all times,” said William Ntladi, district manager media liaison for Ekurhuleni Disaster and
Emergency Management Services (DEMS).
“Another danger lies in the fact that due to final year examinations, many children find themselves at home on certain days and this leads to the temptation of swimming.
“Swimming must also be supervised by an adult.”
As schools and some industries will be closing for the festive holidays this means that social gatherings will be held around public or private swimming pools, as well as at lakes, dams and rivers.
“This will inevitably put people’s lives at risk particularly young children and people who do not know how to swim,” said Ntladi.
DEMS reminds residents to follow water safety tips as drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental deaths.
“Summer time is fun time with great weather for children to play in and around water, however, swimming can be potentially dangerous.
“Parents need to recognise that swimming lessons do not protect children from drowning, only constant supervision can,” said Ntladi.
Therefore, parents are urged to keep an eye on their children and to know of their whereabouts at all times in areas where there are water bodies or swimming pools.
It is important for residents to know the types of precautions to take to keep their children safe in the water.
Water related accidents can be avoided by following a few simple guidelines to know how to be stay safe in and around water.
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