The scorching-hot summer sun has been furiously pounding the country and unfortunately the City hasn’t been spared. As millions of South Africans fill up public and private pools, and pump inflatable splash pools for their children, concerns have been raised around poolside accidents in the summer season.
The problem is compounded by the fact that schools are about to shut down for the year, leaving the little rascals with too much time on their hands unsupervised.
As it has become the norm, the City’s public swimming pools will experience a deluge of bathers looking to escape the incessant heat. Lifeguards will be stretched as they ensure that everyone plays by the rules so that no one gets hurt.
We need to be water-safe and be constantly on the alert to avoid poolside accidents and mishaps to ensure an awesome festive season for everyone.
According to Emergency Management Services’ Robert Mulaudzi, drowning is the second most common cause of death from injuries in children under the age of 14.
“Never leave children unsupervised around the pool. Ensure you cover your pool when you have visitors at home,” cautions Robert.
Drowning can happen in less than two minutes when a child accidentally slips into a pool unnoticed. Parents need to ensure that they sit at a vantage point to always have an unobstructed view of the pool and nip problems in the bud, urges Robert.
Langa Dube, who is an acting Operations Manager at the Ellis Park Swimming Pool and boast 30 years’ experience as a lifeguard, shares a couple of safety tips to ensure an incident-free pool experience.
He advices users to test the pool’s water depth and temperature before plunging in as cold water can shock bodies, resulting in an increased blood pressure and heart rate. He adds that cold water can also slow your muscles down, making it hard to swim.
“You need to firmly tell the children to stop chasing each other around the poolside. One bad slip could result in an accident.”
He urges parents to always be around the poolside to ensure that children’s exuberance doesn’t go overboard.
“Children must avoid pushing each other into the pool. No diving in shallow ends either as they might easily hit the bottom of the pool with their heads. No water fights are allowed. Absolutely no summersaults. No sharp or hard objects and bottles must be brought near the pool,” adds Langa.
By Mongadi Mafata
01 December 2023