Drowning remains one of the top causes of unnatural childhood death in South Africa. According to recent statistics released by private hospital group Netcare, nearly 72% of near-drownings occur around the home and only 1.22% at the beach. Three-year-old children seem particularly vulnerable and constitute 45.45% of the total.
Furthermore, for every child that dies from drowning, five are left with permanent brain damage from the lack of oxygen that occurs in a near-drowning.
Drowning is commonly a silent event. The child makes no noise to alert their parent or carer. According to Dr Miles Bartlett, a paediatric intensivist renowned for his treatment of child near-drownings, babies can drown in just a few centimetres of water in the time it takes to make a cup of coffee.
In most developed countries, pool safety is a legislative issue and pool builders are obliged by law to advise on and fit adequate safety measures to any pool they install. South Africa however, is lagging behind. If a pool has been secured for children, it is generally a decision that has been made by a responsible pool owner, not because of a formal directive. In this context, the phrase "getting away with murder" takes on a more literal meaning.
PowerPlastics Pool Covers, a leading manufacturer of swimming pool covers, is on a drive to remind pool owners that drownings are preventable with pool covers as well as to highlight the lack of adequate legislation within the local industry.
"Pool builders could be better educators when it comes to open, unsafe pools and really impress upon their clients the associated risk. In turn, local government needs to clamp down and enforce mandatory pool safety standards. Pool owners themselves need to be responsible too," says Stephen Doyle, general manager of PowerPlastics Pool Covers.
There are massive discrepancies when one compares safety legislation in other industries. The motor industry is not allowed to manufacture vehicles without seatbelts and neither can the chemical industry be negligent with hazardous substances. Each obeys stringent health and safety laws. Yet open pools are equally hazardous so where is the safety legislation in this regard?
SWIMSAFE-TWO There are several ways to safeguard a pool but education on the various methods is required. Applying layers of safety is the best method but whatever the layers, ultimately the responsibility rests with the caregiver who must be vigilant at all times.
A solid safety pool cover is a most effective barrier, as long as it has drainage holes to avoid rain or sprinkler-water forming a small puddle on top of the cover. Just a few millimetres of water can be fatal to a curious child.
"But a cover only saves lives if it is actually on the pool. Being lazy about re-securing a pool after use is surprisingly common. "Next time you 'can't be bothered', consider the alternative - retrieving a lifeless child from your pool due to your negligence."
"Even if one doesn't have children, it is still necessary to consider safety for visitors. Often small children unaccustomed to being near pools are most at risk. Families living in residential complexes with a communal pool should insist that their body corporate install a pool cover," says Doyle.
Netcare advocates safety in every aspect of life - particularly where it concerns children. "We too are encouraging enhanced pool safety legislation and are working closely with Government to expedite this. However, these safeguards should be both practical and affordable," says Mande Toubkin, Head of Trauma at Netcare.
"It is important however, to point out that legislation alone would not stop drowning as most accidents occur when people are in and around the pool, in other words when safety measures have been relaxed. No matter how strict the safety legislation, the bottom line is that children need to be supervised around water," says Toubkin.
The benefits of safety covers extend beyond drowning prevention. They also curb power consumption, reduce carbon footprints and are water-wise too.
"It might be more socially acceptable to label child drowning as 'accidental' but strip the sugar-coating and what you're left with is actually involuntary manslaughter. And that is not a label anyone wants to wear," concludes Doyle.
Issued by: Adlam Ink PR On behalf of: PowerPlastics Pool Covers |
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