How to prevent your child from drowning
Three year old Dante Henry Stroebel climbed over the wall and fell into the neighbours’ pool on the 5th July 2015.
He is currently in a critical condition in the Life Eugene Marais hospital where the family are sitting with a bill of over R90 000 for Dante’s stay in ICU. Good Morning Angels contributed R50 000 towards his bill in hopes of making this a bit easier for the family.
You can help by making a donation to:
DH Stroebel
Acc Type: Nedbank4me
Acc No: 1107276306
Branch Code: 101299
However, Dante's story is not an isolated incident and as of late, too many stories of tragic deaths of children due to drowning have made headline news. The Complimentary Breakfast feels that people, and parents in particular, need to be more informed of the necessary safety measures that should be taken when it comes to children and swimming pools.
Pam Reynecke from Libra Swimming Academy has been a swimming coach for over 30 years and it is highly recommended that you listen to what advice she has to share about water safety:
More tips from Pam:
1. If a child is missing check any water features first- bath, ponds, pools
2. Keep pools and ponds clean - green and muddy means a child can't be seen
3. Designated Water Watcher. At family gatherings assign one person every 15 or 30 minutes to be the "lifeguard" with the sole purpose of watching the water. When everyone is together and chatting no-one's focus is on the pool. Drowning is silent - you won't hear anything. My swim school offers this service so inbox me if you need this service
4. Never leave water in buckets and baths that children could fall into. It takes just a few inches of water for a child to drown.
5. Do a CPR course. If children are left in the care of a domestic worker - she should also have CPR and know some basic rescue skills. If possible send her for swimming lessons too.
6. Have a golden rule - anywhere and everywhere - no-one, including adults, ever swims alone.
7. Take your children for swimming lessons. Contact Northern Tigers Swimming at 0123624700 in the mornings for details of a qualified, registered instructor in your area.
Contact Pam Reynecke
Cell: 082 339 8090
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.libraswim.co.za