Going to the lake or the pool in the summer is a wonderful time. However, if safety isn’t often at the forefront for many, leading to avoidable tragedies.
Three six-year-olds drowned in separate incidents in separate areas of the province this summer. Recently, a two-year-old drowned in Moose Jaw in a backyard swimming pool in an incident on Saturday, August 1.
In addition, another six-year-old was successfully resuscitated on July 14 after being pulled unconscious from a hotel pool in Prince Albert.
“These incidents are so sad and so preventable. It breaks my heart,” stated Shelby Rushton, CEO of the Lifesaving Society in Saskatchewan.
“One of our constants messages is for parents and caregivers to stay within arm’s reach of toddlers and young children,” Rushton said. “Taking your eyes off a child for a couple of seconds can lead to a tragedy. Once a child falls under the water, they’re unable to yell or cry for help.”
To prevent similar drownings from happening to children, there’s water safety tips which should be followed whenever in or near recreational spots at pools, lakes or rivers.
Swimmers should stay within arm’s reach of toddlers.
Installing four-sided locking fencing around backyard pools, in addition to having a fenced in yard, will guarantee added safety.
Never allow distractions to get in the way when supervising children at the pool. Stay off mobile phones, put those books away and avoid long conversations when caring for young swimmers.
Set up a buddy system with fellow parents or caregivers for supervising children around the water. Take turns being the lifeguard in 15- or 20-minute intervals.
Be especially vigilant when using inflatable toys such as swans and air mattresses, because children can topple off and easily drown, or they might drift out too far into the water from the wind and waves.
