The summer season has arrived. Adults and children flock to relax near water. The joy of being near water bodies can be overshadowed if water safety rules are not observed.
In 2026 alone, 5 children drowned in the Republic of Belarus, and 1 child in the Vitebsk region. Therefore, children's safety on water depends solely on the parents themselves. Children under 14 years of age must be near water only when accompanied by adults. Teenagers without adult supervision may only swim in designated areas. The largest number of tragedies occurs precisely in water bodies not intended for swimming. Children splashing in the water usually do so very emotionally and make a lot of noise. A sudden silence should definitely alert parents. Before going to a camp or resort, you should clearly explain to the child what safe behaviour on the water is and what the consequences of not following the rules are. Children are allowed to swim in designated areas approved by territorial state sanitary inspection bodies and OSVOD. The bottom of areas designated for children's swimming should have a gradual slope, without pits, ledges, and dangerous objects, with depths not exceeding: 0.7 meters - for children up to 9 years old; 1.2 meters - for children from 9 to 14 years old. Only by observing elementary safety measures will you and your children be able to be near the water: • A strong request not to let children go to water bodies unsupervised! • Minors are prohibited from being near shorelines and water areas of water bodies without the accompaniment of parents or their legal guardians! • It is best to swim and sunbathe at an equipped beach; never swim in unequipped places! • Remember the danger of being near quarries and ponds used for domestic purposes! • Do not swim in water bodies with pits and springs! • If you cannot swim, do not go into the water above your waist! • Do not allow children or engage in noisy games on the water during swimming yourself – it is dangerous! • It is recommended to stay in the water for no more than 10-20 minutes; hypothermia can cause cramps! • It is forbidden to dive from bridges, piers, even in places where you dived last summer, as the water level changes over the year, and there may be foreign objects in the water! • Jumping from the bank in unfamiliar places is strictly prohibited!
How to ensure children's safety on the water during the summer period!!!
01/07/20266 views
• It is prohibited to swim beyond the buoys, as they mark areas with a verified bottom!
• Do not swim too far, as you may misjudge your strength to return to the shore, which can lead to muscle fatigue!
• It is prohibited to dive under each other, grab legs, frighten, push into the water, or lead those who cannot swim into deep water!
• If you are caught in a strong current, do not try to fight it; swim downstream at an angle, approaching the shore!
• If during rest or swimming you see that a person is drowning or needs help, assist them using a lifebuoy!
• When in the sun, take precautions against overheating and heatstroke!
• Children's swimming is permitted in designated areas, approved by territorial state sanitary supervision institutions and the Belarusian Voluntary Society for the Rescue of Persons on Waters (OSVOD).
• The bottom of the areas designated for children's swimming should have a gradual slope, without pits, ledges, and dangerous objects, with depths not exceeding:
• 0.7 meters - for children up to 9 years old;
• 1.2 meters - for older children who cannot swim.
The primary and most important rule for parents is that preschool and junior school-aged children (up to 9 years old) must swim strictly under adult supervision and only in specially equipped, fenced children's areas with a depth not exceeding 0.7 meters.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND YOUR CHILDREN!
Head of the Lepel
Rescue Station