It only takes a couple of seconds for a child to drown, and not much water is needed. Adults are also vulnerable, especially during the summer holiday and festive season when people tend to be a little more reckless.

Odette has found the follow water safety tips to consider this summer.

Child Water Safety Tips: 

1. Always keep an eye on your child near water, even if it’s only a water feature in a garden. It takes only two minutes for a child to drown.
2. Spa baths and Jacuzzis aren’t safe for children, because they can’t support themselves in the swirling water. Keep these covered and locked.
3. Never let your child swim alone, even if they are wearing flotation aids.
4. When swimming in the ocean, hold your child’s hand at all times and make sure your feet and theirs can touch the ocean floor at all times.
5. Don’t let your child drift in the ocean on an inflatable Lilo or board, as the current can quickly drag her them to sea.
6. Teach your child never to dive into water, but to jump in feet first. If it’s an unfamiliar pool, it could be too shallow to dive into, which can result in serious injuries.
7. Make sure that swimming pools are properly fenced off or have a pool net over them.
8. Take note of water safety notices. Swim between water flags and in an area where there are lifeguards.
9. If you and your family go out on a boat, make sure everyone wears approved life jackets.
10. Teach your children not to run near swimming pools; they could slip and get injured.
11. Always remove the cover completely from a pool before swimming. Partially covered pools are dangerous.

Source: Living and Loving

Safe Summer Swimming

Many incidents of drowning are linked to the misuse of alcohol and recklessness. Here are some things to consider before taking a dip.

1. Never swim while you are intoxicated. Alcohol impairs judgement and unnecessary risks are taken. An intoxicated swimmer will tire more easily, increasing the chance of an accident or drowning.
2. Before entering the sea, take time to watch the waves and avoid places where there is a strong backwash, obvious rip currents or a danger of being washed onto the rocks.
3. Check the weather and tides before you leave home – if the sea is too rough, you could be swept away.
4. Only enter where the waves are straight and gentle.
5. If you experience a strong current, get out of the sea or do not go in deep.
6. Check with the lifeguards on duty about the surf conditions before entering the sea.
7. Only swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
8. Obey the lifeguards’ directions or instructions from the beach.
9. Look out for warning signs and flags – a red flag means it is dangerous to swim. A red-and-yellow flag means lifeguards are on duty and you should only swim in the area between the flags.
10. Avoid swimming immediately after a big meal, as there is a danger of cramping.
11. Do not dive into shallow seawater.
12. Do not swim in river mouths, in dirty water, very early in the morning or evenings, or after it has rained, as shark activity increases in these conditions. Also do not swim when bluebottles are present, as they are venomous.

Source: South Coast Sun