The weather is getting warmer and warmer by the day. People will be planning to cool off by taking a dip in their pools or visiting their local pool. With this comes the risks of pool and water-related incidents that could result in the death of a loved one.
Unfortunately for a family in Sophiatown, this has already become a reality. They recently lost their four-year-old child after they drowned in their pool.
The distraught family was visited by Sophiatown Police Stations officers including Station Commander Brigadier Alfred Ndebele to pay their condolences. The Westdene-Sophiatown Residents Association and the Sophiatown Neighbourhood Watch also wished to offer their sympathy to the family on the loss of their child.
ER24 have urged the public to be water-safety savvy as we approach spring and summer. They have provided the following tips to help keep everyone safe around large bodies of water.
Safety tips around pools:
- Secure your pool area with barriers that can’t be pushed down by little kids
- Never leave children unsupervised near water
- Stay within arm’s length from little children as they submerge very quickly, especially if the water is murky
- Make sure that children don’t play rough in the pool and jump on top of one another
- nIt is important that adults who supervise must be able to swim as well
- Remember that anyone, including people who can swim, are at risk of drowning
- Avoid taking risks and being overconfident.
Related Article:
Water Wednesday: Children drowning remains a big problem in SA
