WATER SAFETY TIPS 

Limpopo – The summer may be over, but kids are still attracted to water! While swimming is great fun, it’s still dangerous.

Police spokesperson sergeant Monatse Mamabolo describes learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as a must-have skill – especially if you are a parent. “Never leave children unsupervised near a pool, hot tub, or natural body of water.
During gatherings, adults who know how to swim should take turns to monitor those who are swimming without any supervision. We must all do our bit to reduce the risk of drownings. Teach children to swim. Swimming lessons, however, do not necessarily prevent drowning and must not be a substitute for adult supervision.”

TIPS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF DROWNINGS

• Install a fence at least 1.2m tall that separates the pool area from the house and yard. The fence should not block the view of the pool from outside the fenced area. 
• Install self-closing and self-latching gates that open away from the pool area with latches beyond a child’s reach.
• Use an alarm on the house door that leads to the pool area, a floating pool-alarm, or a below-water alarm. Keep in mind that an alarm is not a substitute for appropriate fencing and supervision.
• Do not leave pool toys in the water. A child might fall into the water while trying to retrieve a toy.
• Beware of drains. Do not allow children to play near or sit on pool or hot tub drains.
• Keep emergency equipment handy. Equipment might include a life ring with rope, reaching pole, or shepherd’s crook.