Be water savvy this summer
It’s summer and everyone, especially kids, just want to play in or around water, because it’s a great way to beat the heat and have fun. Here are some basic tips to keep your tots safe in the water.
Source: By Licia Selepe, Living and Loving magazine
Playing in the water can be a great way for kids to have fun and exercise. Your little ones will enjoy the water experience more if they know and practice safety. Kids need constant supervision and extra care around water, in order to avoid unnecessary accidents. The Medical Research Council of South Africa consistently lists drowning as one of the three leading causes of accidental death in children under the age of five years.
According to the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of South Africa (CAPFSA), small children can drown in as little as four centimetres of water, in just a few minutes. Chiedza Mavengere, from CAPFSA, says that children can drown in buckets, bathtubs, ponds, dams, rivers, swimming pools, and even in drains. By taking a few precautions, you can help ensure that your little one’s time in or around the water will be safe and enjoyable.
Safety begins at home
- Never leave small children alone in the bath.
- Use a non-slip mat in the bath. Keep empty baths, tubs and other containers after use or when full, behind locked doors.
- Always fit lids firmly on buckets filled with water.
Near swimming pools
- Put a high fence around the pool and install a gate that locks, and alarms.
- Cover the pool when it’s not in use.
- Watch children constantly – don’t be distracted by reading or talking.
- Do not allow children to play around the pool or store their toys outside near the pool area.
At the beach or river
Temperature
Make your kids water-wise
It's important to teach your kids how to behave in the water, and to make sure that you take the right precautions, too. Your kids must understand that swimming in a pool is different from swimming in a river or the ocean – there are different dangers for each. Let your kids know that they should contact the lifeguard or an adult if there's an emergency. Kids shouldn't run or push each other around the pool, and should never dive in areas that are not marked for diving. Teach your kids to stay away from water when you’re not there to supervise, and teach them to always ask permission to go near water.
With these safety tips in mind, have a fun and safe summer!
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