Preventing drowning incidents indoors and outdoors

Toddlers do not require a swimming pool to be at risk of drowning.

Supervision is the very best way to help prevent kids from getting injured.

The water in common household items can be dangerous for young children.

A baby can drown in just 2.5 centimetres of water.

A curious toddler can fall into a toilet, bucket or fish tank or pond.

Even the most vigilant parent will struggle to keep a child 100 per cent safe and away from harm at all times.

It is up to the parents to do everything possible not only to exercise parental supervision and to try to childproof the home.

This may be difficult, but with the use of the following suggestions may be helpful.

Keep the bathroom door closed:

Shut the doors (and install doorknob covers) to any room a child shouldn’t enter.

For sliding doors, doorknob covers and childproof locks are also great for keeping little ones from leaving your home.

Supervise bath time. Never leave a child alone in the bathtub or in the care of another child.

If you must answer the telephone or door, don’t rely on an older sibling to watch the baby, wrap your baby in a towel and bring him or her with you.

Drain water from the tub immediately after use.

Shut toilet lids. Install childproof locks on toilet lids.

Store buckets safely and empty buckets and other containers immediately after use.

Don’t leave them outside, where they may accumulate water.

If you have a hot tub, keep it drained or securely covered when not in use.

Safe swimming and the outdoors:

Drowning also occurs away from the swimming pool in the wide outdoors.

Travellers have always been fascinated by water and a splash into rivers, lakes and dams.

Drowning risk increases with changing environmental conditions, hazards concealed in murky water, and inaccessibility of emergency medical services.

It is important to recognise the unique hazards in the outdoors, to be prepared and take precautions when entering the water in these areas.

Swimming conditions can be unpredictable with water depth, temperature, currents and weather rapidly changing.

Plan ahead:

To be safe, you need to think about the water conditions, know your own limits and the use of safety gear like life jackets.

Wear a life jacket when you’re boating, tubing or rafting.

Never allow children to swim alone or without adult supervision.

Teach children that swimming in open water is not the same as swimming in a pool.

Boat owners are required by law to carry life jackets in their boats, wear one even if you can swim.

Be very cautious of kids using personal watercrafts such as jet skis, they are intended for adults and require special training.

Wear a life jacket if you are swimming in a lake or river where there are no lifeguards.

The first descent into any body of water should be feet first.

Never dive or jump into unfamiliar or shallow water.

Check for submerged objects and make sure the water is at least three to four metres deep.

Ask in the area about where people usually swim and whether it is safe.

Consider both safe entry and exit points when swimming in a river, dam or lake.