Water safety tips

SA – Children love water and don’t always realise the dangers associated with it. Anyone can have a water-related accident — even children who know how to swim. Bathtubs, drains, buckets and even fishponds can be just as dangerous as a swimming pool.

An accident can happen very quickly and that is why you have to take all the necessary precautions you possibly can to keep your child safe from drowning.

• Any open water containers should always be emptied.
• If you have a swimming pool, make sure it has a fence around it. The fence shouldn’t block the view of the pool from outside the fenced area and ensure that the lock cannot be opened by a young child.
• Never leave a child alone in the bathtub or in the care of another child.
• During gatherings, adults who know how to swim can take turns being the ‘designated watcher,’ who isn’t distracted.
• Don’t leave toys in the pool. Children might innocently try to get them and fall in.
• Teach children how to swim once they are ready.
• Learn Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• Save emergency numbers on your phone and keep it in a spot where you can easily find it. Every second counts and you don’t want to waste time to search for a number.
• If you have any open water bodies near your home, teach children to never go near water without adult supervision. Even if they are in a group and can swim.
   

What to do in a drowning situation?
The child should be removed from the water and placed on a flat surface. When you find yourself in a situation where you have to apply CPR start with the basics of HHH.

Hazard – Make sure that the environment around the child or person is safe and there are no obstacles.
Hello – See if the child or person is responding to your voice.
Help – Make sure emergency services are contacted for help.
CPR should be started immediately and should be continued until emergency services arrive.

Learn how to apply CPR! 
Trauma Rescue offers courses on first aid levels 1, 2 and 3. This includes CPR. 
Contact them today to make an appointment. 
Trauma Rescue
086 178 9911

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