City launches a “Drowning is Preventable” campaign
Statistics indicate that a huge number of drowning incidents happen at home, and children under five are generally the victims
Recent statistics indicate that a concerning number of drowning incidents occur during the summer season. Consequently, the city is to launch a learn how to swim campaign called “Drowning is Preventable”.
The MMC for Public Safety, councillor Micheal Sun, together with the MMC for Community Development, councillor Nonhlanhla Sifumba, will join forces to work on this campaign and ensure that it is a success.
Also Read:
https://roodepoortrecord.co.za/2017/09/26/four-year-old-drowns-in-helderkruin/
Through the Public Education section of the municipality, the city will be intensifying its efforts with emphasis on general water safety. This programme will target all residents in all seven regions of the city, including the most vulnerable communities in various informal settlements, especially school-going learners in the lower grades. Mobile swimming pools will be used to demonstrate the programme in schools.
According to EMS spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi, statistics indicate that a huge number of drowning incidents happen at home and children under the age of five are often the victims. It is imperative that parents supervise their children all the time while swimming, even if they have received professional lessons.
EMS has partnered with Community Development, Swimming South Africa and primary schools in and around the City of Johannesburg to roll out the campaign. The collaboration is premised upon a strategic goal – to increase the accessibility of public swimming pools to the community and to ensure that children are empowered with swimming skills and measures to take during flooding incidents. These facilities are an embodiment of the city’s commitment to building safe communities and therefore a safer city.
The EMS recorded and responded to 93 water-related incidents, drownings and near drownings between January and October within the City of Johannesburg compared to 80 recorded in same period in 2017.
“We attended to a number of incidents involving young children throughout the City of Johannesburg, hence our main focus is to target young school-children to empower them with the necessary skills in order not only to prevent drowning incidents but also to be able to conduct themselves around swimming pools,” said Robert Mulaudzi, spokesperson for the EMS.
He also stated that EMS is committed to reducing water-related incidents and fatalities that may happen within the City during the summer rainy season in entertainment areas, public roads, residential areas and business areas. EMS is committed to its mandate of saving the lives and properties of the citizens of the city.
Swimming safety tips
– Learn to swim and teach children to swim
– Learn how to perform CPR
– Know your emergency numbers (10177 and 112)
– Use municipal swimming pools all the time because they have life guards on site
– Do not swim in rivers and dams
– Do not let young children swim alone even if they have received professional lessons. Young children should be constantly supervised whenever they are near water.
Swimming pool safety tips
– Swimming pools must be covered when not in use.
– Install a fence with a locked gate around your swimming pool.
Safety is our collective responsibility. We urge all residents of the City of Johannesburg to work with us to make Johannesburg safe. For any life-threatening emergencies, call 10177, 112 (from a cellphone) or 011 375 5911.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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