Precautionary measures to prevent drownings during the rain season
Drownings are part of the major contributing factors towards high rate of unnatural deaths and injuries affecting all categories of people especially among minor children.
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Here are some guidelines for parents and responsible persons:
1. At home and on business premises:
• Empty all containers in and around the house including bathtubs, buckets, and containers lying around.
• Ensure that you turn these containers upside down at all times.
• Shelter unguarded ponds, pools, fountains and keep pit toilet doors locked for toddlers and minors who wander around.
• Do not leave pit toilets open while under construction.
Also read: Limpopo dams remain stable this week
2. Dams, steams, and rivers:
• Municipalities, tribal authorities, community leaders, and construction companies are advised to cover all trenches and unused ditches as they fill with rainwater very quickly and pose a danger.
• When low-level bridges are covered by the flooding water, do not cross. Use alternative routes, the bridge might have been swept away and it might not be visible.
• Do not cross heavily flooding rivers and streams from one place to the other on foot.
• Children must not swim in dams, streams, and rivers unsupervised. The high risk of mud, rocks, and trees below the water surface can lead to drownings.
• Parents or guardians must ensure a child’s safety at all times, especially on rainy days.
• Be vigilant and careful when fishing in dams and rivers.
• Children must not be allowed to fish in dams and rivers without supervision.
• Be careful of crocodiles when visiting dams or rivers.
• Children must avoid playing sport during a storm.
• Be vigilant and careful when practicing religious activities in rivers and dams.
(Compiled by Col Moatshe Ngoepe, the Limpopo police spokesperson.)