As the heat sets in, bodies of water become the main attraction. For children, splashing in a river or lake is a favourite pastime, and for parents, it's an opportunity to momentarily escape their worries.
However, adults often forget that seemingly harmless recreation on the riverbank can lead to disaster. Statistics, unfortunately, reflect reality – each season brings news of new tragedies. The reasons are mundane: lack of supervision, overconfidence, or sheer accident.
If you are relaxing with a child, your main task is constant supervision and setting a personal example. Remember a few simple but vitally important rules:
• Do not allow a child to be near a body of water alone;
• Supervise your child when they are playing on the bank, do not lose sight of them;
• Enter the water with a child gradually – a sudden immersion can cause heart rhythm disturbances and cramps;
• Do not allow your child to get cold; alternate playing on the bank with swimming;
• Do not allow children to dive from fences or the bank;
• Explain to children that they must not fool around in the water. And do not fool around yourselves – children imitate adults, so a personal example is very important.
• Be sure to put a life jacket on your child!
Parents, do not forget about yourselves! It is equally important for you to observe safety rules to protect your loved ones from the grief of loss.
Basic rules for safe behaviour on the water for everyone:
• Swim only in designated areas, at equipped beaches, where you can receive assistance from lifeguards in case of an accident;
• Do not swim while intoxicated;
• Do not use inflatable mattresses or tubes;
• Do not swim beyond buoys or other barriers set up in swimming areas;
• Do not engage in horseplay in the water, such as diving and grabbing swimmers, do not fool around in the water, do not frighten others;
• Do not give false distress signals;
• Do not swim alone in the evening or at night.