Festive season safety

Safety in the pool and on the beach:

A LARGE percentage of child deaths are due to drowning. Adult supervision near water is essential – it can take two minutes for a child to drown.
* Watch out at lagoons – there are often strong currents, which could carry a child out to sea
* Watch for lilos. A child could be swept beyond his depth and find himself in danger. Do not think if your child is wearing a buoyancy aid or water wings he is safe. Supervision is still needed because they can easily tip over.
* Always take note of safety notices. Swim where there are lifesavers and between the marked flags.
*Always supervise children near water. Even if they can swim they still need to be watched.
Swimming pools should be fully fenced with self-closing and latching gates. SABS specifications on pool fences are available.
* Don’t prop the pool fence gate open. Many children have drowned in fenced pools because someone left the gate open.
* Make sure there is nothing for your child to climb onto near the pool fence, e.g. pot plants, trees. * Make sure your child does not have access to the pool from the house.
* If you don’t want to use a fence install a pool safety net. These should always be kept on when the pool is not in use and once taken off children should be supervised. Always use pool nets according to instructions.
* Never rely on flotation devices to protect your child.