Page 21 - Waterfall City Issue 3 March 2024

Child drowning prevention toolbox

“Drownings can happen
at any time of year, and 60-second call-back option. • Don’t rely on armbands, floating

in South Africa, we see a • Fence ponds, pools and water toys, inner tubes, or devices to keep
children safe.
marked increase during storage. Install a four-sided isolation • Teach children to swim, but never
fence at least 1.2m high with a self-
the summer months,” closing and self-latching gate to leave them unsupervised around
says Netcare 911 spokeswoman control access to bodies of water. water.
Sarah Kekana. • Be on the lookout. Drownings • Consider installing alarms. Various
happen quickly and quietly. Never water alarms, such as a floating pool
Prevent drowning tragedies leave children to supervise each alarm or external security beams, can
with these practical tips: other; a responsible adult must be installed to add to the precautions
• Learn life-saving skills, including always watch out for children near of fencing and supervision.
the basics of swimming and a pool, jacuzzi, or natural body of • Beware of drains. Children must
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). water. be kept away from pools or jacuzzi
• Know who to call in an emergency. • Stay within arm’s length of children drains as hair or limbs could become
Be prepared for any medical under four around water. trapped in the suction.
emergency with Netcare 911 on • Don’t drink or be distracted by • Toilets, bathtubs, water features,
082 911 (or the dedicated Waterfall work, phone calls, technology, or fish tanks, pet water bowls and
City number: 010 209 8365). anything else that may absorb your buckets. Children can drown
Download the Netcare App, which attention when watching children. wherever there is access to water,
includes Netcare 911 emergency • Fit a pool net immediately after and a baby can drown in just 2.5cm
call and geolocation functions and a swimming. of water.

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