Swim safely this summer

Thabazimbi – December means swimming season is finally here! Swimming is always a fun activity during the hot summer days of Thabazimbi. 

Unfortunately, this also means that December has a lot of drownings. For some tips on water safety, Platinum Bushvelder reached out to Thabazimbi Fire and Rescue’s (TFR) Pierre Loots on Tuesday 13 December 2022. 

If you plan on spending your holiday around water, it’s important to never underestimate the dangers that come with it because an accident can happen in seconds. Children should always be supervised when playing around water. Make sure that they always have a sober guardian with them, not only when playing in the pool, but also near any bodies of water.

“Something people rarely think of is to make sure that the area around your swimming pool is not slippery. This can be hazardous as someone can slip and fall into the pool,” Loots explained.

He also warned that inflatable toys can be a lot of fun in the pool but using an inflatable mattress in the water can be dangerous because there’s the risk of the mattress deflating which could trap you and cause drowning.

Also, never swim alone. You never know what can happen and it’s always good to have a ‘buddy’ that can help or call for help if something happens. 

Avoid drinking alcohol when going swimming. When you drink it can affect your reflexes and you might not be able to act as quickly in an emergency.

For those who don’t have a swimming pool, cooling off in the river might look like a good idea—don’t!
Loots added: “Every year we ask the community to please stay out of rivers. At first glance, the current might not look strong, but it is! It’s not just the current that causes you to drown either; there are many branches that could cause injury or entrapment.”

Because it’s the rainy season, Loots also shared a few tips when it comes to flooding: “It is always the safest option to make sure that your roof gutters are clean, if the water builds up it can cause damage. Make sure that the water can move easily through your yard and that it can’t run straight into your house.” 

Do not drive over a road that is covered with water and barely visible, it’s dangerous! The water could carry your vehicle away or you could get stuck!

“The best advice I can give is that the power of water should not be underestimated!”  Loots concluded.

In case of an emergency, contact emergency services at 112 where you will be put through to your nearest emergency call centre. You can also contact Thabazimbi Fire and Rescue at 063 512 4633.

#FosteringASenseOfCommunity