{"id":193741,"date":"2018-12-31T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2018-12-31T04:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/193741\/preventing-drowning-incidents-indoors-and-outdoors\/"},"modified":"2018-12-19T09:13:56","modified_gmt":"2018-12-19T07:13:56","slug":"preventing-drowning-incidents-indoors-and-outdoors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2018\/12\/31\/preventing-drowning-incidents-indoors-and-outdoors\/","title":{"rendered":"Preventing drowning incidents indoors and outdoors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Toddlers do not require a swimming pool to be at risk of drowning.<\/p>\n

Supervision is the very best way to help prevent kids from getting injured.<\/p>

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The water in common household items can be dangerous for young children.<\/p>\n

A baby can drown in just 2.5 centimetres of water.<\/p>

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A curious toddler can fall into a toilet, bucket or fish tank or pond.<\/p>\n

Even the most vigilant parent will struggle to keep a child 100 per cent safe and away from harm at all times.<\/p>\n

It is up to the parents to do everything possible not only to exercise parental supervision and to try to childproof the home.<\/p>\n

This may be difficult, but with the use of the following suggestions may be helpful.<\/p>\n

Keep the bathroom door closed:<\/p>\n

Shut the doors (and install doorknob covers) to any room a child shouldn\u2019t enter.<\/p>\n

For sliding doors, doorknob covers and childproof locks are also great for keeping little ones from leaving your home.<\/p>\n

Supervise bath time. Never leave a child alone in the bathtub or in the care of another child.<\/p>\n

ALSO READ:\u00a0Paramedics resuscitate three-year-old drowning victim<\/a><\/h4>\n

If you must answer the telephone or door, don\u2019t rely on an older sibling to watch the baby, wrap your baby in a towel and bring him or her with you.<\/p>\n

Drain water from the tub immediately after use.<\/p>\n

Shut toilet lids. Install childproof locks on toilet lids.<\/p>\n

Store buckets safely and empty buckets and other containers immediately after use.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t leave them outside, where they may accumulate water.<\/p>\n

If you have a hot tub, keep it drained or securely covered when not in use.<\/p>\n

Safe swimming and the outdoors:<\/p>\n

Drowning also occurs away from the swimming pool in the wide outdoors.<\/p>\n

Travellers have always been fascinated by water and a splash into rivers, lakes and dams.<\/p>\n

Drowning risk increases with changing environmental conditions, hazards concealed in murky water, and inaccessibility of emergency medical services.<\/p>\n

It is important to recognise the unique hazards in the outdoors, to be prepared and take precautions when entering the water in these areas.<\/p>\n

Swimming conditions can be unpredictable with water depth, temperature, currents and weather rapidly changing.<\/p>\n

ALSO READ:\u00a0Motorists, pedestrians implored to take care on the roads<\/a><\/h4>\n

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Plan ahead:<\/p>\n

To be safe, you need to think about the water conditions, know your own limits and the use of safety gear like life jackets.<\/p>\n

Wear a life jacket when you\u2019re boating, tubing or rafting.<\/p>\n

Never allow children to swim alone or without adult supervision.<\/p>\n

Teach children that swimming in open water is not the same as swimming in a pool.<\/p>\n

Boat owners are required by law to carry life jackets in their boats, wear one even if you can swim.<\/p>\n

Be very cautious of kids using personal watercrafts such as jet skis, they are intended for adults and require special training.<\/p>\n

Wear a life jacket if you are swimming in a lake or river where there are no lifeguards.<\/p>\n

The first descent into any body of water should be feet first.<\/p>\n

Never dive or jump into unfamiliar or shallow water.<\/p>\n

Check for submerged objects and make sure the water is at least three to four metres deep.<\/p>\n

Ask in the area about where people usually swim and whether it is safe.<\/p>\n

Consider both safe entry and exit points when swimming in a river, dam or lake.<\/p>\n

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Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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